Tianjin: A Melting Pot of Cultures

TianJin used to be the most westernized city in North China. It was the home of renowned writer Zhang Ailing, who spent a lot of time in her French-style garden during her idyllic childhood. It was the former residence of Liang Qichao, scholar and one of China’s first democrats. The longest-running Chinese language newspaper Ta Kung Pao and the prestigious Peiyang University (now Tianjin University) were founded in this city.

Regional characteristics display marked differences. Long a capital city, Beijing boasts an imperial dignity, a generosity of spirit, and a hub of culture and learning. Shanghai, one of China’s first international commercial ports, upholds modern thinking and is a commercial hotspot with a certain sophistication. Sitting comfortably between these two styles is Tianjin, positioned at the gateway to Beijing. Historically a city of migrants divided into nine different international concessions, Tianjin blends the cultures of northern and southern China with international influences, mixing foreign elegance with down-to-earth locals.

It is difficult to pin down the personality of Tianjin people. A confluence of rivers and a busy sea port, the city is a melting pot of ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign cultures, and is inhabited by people from all walks of life.

Comic Folk Culture

In Chinese, the name Tianjin means the “Emperor’s ferry.” When emperors lived in Beijing, Tianjin functioned as a guard of the Imperial City. The city was first developed as a fortress. Canals boosted its economy and consequently attracted increasing numbers of migrants to settle there. Boatmen, businessmen, soldiers, farmers, and migrant workers all resided here, creating a population structured differently to other cities; one dominated by the middle and lower classes, including soldiers, craftsmen and a large number of unemployed people.

Quanyechang, in the heart of Tianjin’s commercial district, has some of China’s most remarkable 20th-century architecture.

These residents came from different parts of China and all had their own customs, religions, art, and cuisines. This mixture formed Tianjin’s uniquely open, inclusive, and diverse style. The Tianjin philosophy of life can be summed up in a quote from a film depicting a typical Tianjin family, in which the main character says: “My mother believes a family can have a very happy life just so long as there isn’t a single member in hospital or prison!” Simple and pragmatic but also displaying humour and passion.

Tianjin people are well-known for their humor. In the old days, folks tended to banter or make fun of themselves to get a little relief from their hard life. Tianjin people have a reputation as good talkers who very cleverly express their humor and tolerance. Even the most everyday situations can become stand-up comedy. Listening to Tianjin people talk is hilarious because they are so good at using jokes to show their intelligence.

Quanyechang, a commercial center in Tianjin, is the center for one of China’s more intangible forms of cultural heritage: cross-talk. This sort of comedy, with its linguistic witticisms and wordplay, is widely popular in China.