Tianjin Culture: Culture street showcases Tianjin's specialties

World
Europe

03:19

Tianjin has a folk culture which distinguishes it from many other parts of the North China Plain. CGTN reporter Zhao Yunfei takes us on a tour of the city to sample some of that culture and history.

Every city has its special food. I was born and raised in Tianjin. When asked what to eat here in town, I always say, well, if you missed breakfast, you missed everything. So I just came across this vendor. This man is teaching me how to make a Jianbingguozi, so tell us the recipe.

WANG CHANGHAI STREET VENDOR "The flour is made with mung beans which makes it very fluffy."

ZHAO YUNFEI TIANJIN "In Tianjin, Jianbingguozi is a great choice to start the day. Right now, I am at one of the city's main tourist attractions. It's called Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street. Joining me is my tour guide Da Liang. He is an anchor from Tianjin Broadcast Group. Da Liang, what do you like most about this street?"

The Tianhougong Temple is located in the center of this ancient architectural complex. It is one of the three biggest Mazu Temples in China.

Da Liang: Mazu means Goddess of the Sea. You know Tianjin is a coastal city. In the old days, many fishermen worshipped Mazu.

Yunfei: And in fact the Mazu culture comes from China's southeastern province of Fujian. So having a Mazu Temple in the northern part of China is rare. And that's what makes this site so precious.

Da Liang: Exactly, many say that the Tianhougong Temple is the cradle of Tianjin folk culture.

In a teahouse right across the temple, people are having jolly good time thanks to Xiangsheng, or cross talks. Da Liang and I wanted to learn how to play the kuaiban, an instrument for Chinese rapping.

Yunfei: Basically you rattle bamboo clappers to produce the beat. But the hard part is the different movements of your hands.

There are a lot of century-old stores grouped together along this ancient cultural street. And sometimes you can also encounter live performances. There's just so much more to experience.

Da Liang: Tianjin claims that this area is a tourism, commerce and trade zone. But many local people gather here as well.

Yunfei: Indeed, this place has a good preservation of ancient-style architecture. If you got a chance to check out here, you'll be amazed by the rich culture and good food that this city has to offer.