Tian Jin

History

The formation of Tianjin has undergone a long period of time. The name of Tianjin , first emerged during the early period of Emperor Yongle of China 's Ming Dynasty, means a ferry crossing where the Son of Heaven has passed. In the second year of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1404), Tianjin started building fortifications and defenses as a strategic military place. In 1860 Tianjin was turned into an open port. For years its industrial production and port trade volume were only second to Shanghai , becoming the second largest commercial city in China and the biggest financial and trading center in north China . After the founding of the People's Republic of China Tianjin was turned into a municipality directly under the central authorities.

Ancient Culture Street and Tianhou Palace

The 580-meter-long Ancient Culture Street and Tianhou Palace , the native place of Tianjin , are located in Nankai District. Some 100 shops, in the style of the arch itectures of the Qing Dynasty, are mainly engaged in sales of ancient and old books, antiques, jade articles, traditional handicrafts and folk articles, Special shops in the street sell folk arts such as Yangliuqing New Year pictures, painted clay figurines and Wei's kites. Tianhou Palace , also known as Niangniang Palace , was built in the Yuan Dynasty (1326) and is now located at the center of the Ancient Cultural Street . Formerly, it was a place where boatmen offered sacrifices to the God of Sea, conducted performances for thanking the God and held recreational activities and got together with friends and now it has been turned into the Tianjin Folk museum.