A retrospective look at 'A Date With China Hello Tianjin'

The third leg of the "A Date with China" International Media Tour kicked off in Tianjin on Oct 22.

Foreign journalists and internet influencers from countries such as the United States and Ireland went on a three-day tour of Tianjin to experience the city’s modern development while also learning about its long and detailed history.

At the kick-off ceremony of the international media tour, international students from Nankai University and Tianjin Normal University performed Tianjin clapper talk, as well as Jingdong big drum and rap with Chinese singers.

Their visit to the city’s Wudadao area, which is home to over 2,000 villas in various Western styles built in the 1920s and 1930s, impressed the visitors.

They took a cruise along the iconic Haihe River to learn the stories behind buildings and bridges on the river that have witnessed historical events, as well as experience the evolving skyline of modern Tianjin.

At the historic canal town Yangliuqing, the international guests tried making Yangliuqing woodblock prints, one of the most popular forms of New Year decorations in China, which flourished in Tianjin and the surrounding areas during the period between the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The Shi Family Grand Courtyard in the center of the ancient township is famous in north China for its grand layout and delicate decorations.

Tianjin Tower, with a height of 415.2 meters, is a landmark in Tianjin that provides a panoramic view. It is also home to Tianjin's highest bookstore - the Western Shore Book House, 257 meters above the ground. Visitors can enjoy the scenery as the library overlooks the whole city.

International guests also hailed the exhibitions at the memorial to Zhou Enlai (1898-1976) and his wife, Deng Yingchao (1904-1992). The couple were early promoters of Marxism and great revolutionaries before the founding of new China.

The group watched a kung fu performance by students from Tianjin Huo Yuanjia Civil and Military School.

They also paid a visit to Jinan district’s Baliwan green area, where 550,000 trees have been planted in the past three years. This is part of an ecological protection campaign in Tianjin to set up a 736-square-km “green barrier” across five districts－Binhai New Area, Dongli, Xiqing, Jinnan and Ninghe.

Binhai boasts exciting developments incorporating a futuristic vision for urban living alongside major constructions such as the inspiring National Maritime Museum of China.