Central Tianjin and Haihe River from Shangri-La Hotel [Photo by Bruce Connolly]

Many times walking around Tianjin recently I would hear people saying to me, “Welcome to Tianjin”. I never mentioned to them that I have been involved with the city for many years, instead simply let people feel I was a first-time visitor. These moments would remind me of 1987, being greeted with “Welcome to China. Welcome to Beijing” when I first entered this vast country by railway from Mongolia.

Historic Astor Hotel [Photo by Bruce Connolly]

With Tianjin, during my stay, I could feel a growing pride amongst many local people of how their hometown is transforming, indeed regaining its position as a recognized world city. Back in the 1920’s, Tianjin, particularly the area centered around Jiefangbei Lu, was regarded as China’s, indeed Asia’s first Wall Street. This was based on its growth as a major center for international business and finance.

Coffee shop at Anglican Arts Centre[Photo by Bruce Connolly]

However, when I first visited Tianjin, in 1996, it seemed to be emerging from a low or intermediate technology industrial base. Since then, almost 30 years ago, I watched its at times gradual, at other times rapid transformation. A major catalyst for change was, for example, the Beijing 2008 Olympics. That year saw China’s first high-speed railway opening between Beijing and Tianjin. Such infrastructure inevitably led to a steady growth in business and tourism for the city.

Modern architecture of Xiaobailou[Photo by Bruce Connolly]

However, what is driving today’s rapid change? Tianjin is emerging as a major center for conferences/conventions/exhibitions. It has so far been, for example, host to eight Summer Davos conventions, held bi-annually with Dalian.

Wudadao Statue outside Minyuan Stadium[Photo by Bruce Connolly]

This year, 2025, the city will receive a major boost with the forthcoming SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) between August 31 and September 1. This will see leaders and delegates from a range of countries arriving in the city. Through the medium of television and the internet, the world will surely then observe something of Tianjin.

Pedestrianised Hunan Road Wudadao[Photo by Bruce Connolly]

What I have seen recently I am sure viewers who have never been to Tianjin or even China will certainly be impressed, for it has become indeed a very attractive city. Last year, in May 2024, I visited the city shortly before returning to the UK. Fourteen months later, I returned and was amazed at what I saw. Indeed, every day as I walked around Tianjin I would photograph more and more of its growing number of attractions.

Afternoon cruise on Haihe River[Photo by Bruce Connolly]

The first obvious change, I noticed, was with several of its main roads such as Haihe Dong Lu, running alongside the city’s Haihe River. Excellent cycle lanes, clearly marked and segregated from vehicle traffic, have provided safe corridors that will encourage cycling for sport and even for commuting to/from work.