Guwenhua Jie – where Shopping meets Folk Culture and Arts

ad/show_ads.js">street is quite famous among locals and tourists
Tianjin is one of the biggest and populous cities offor folk crafts, and not just one or two shops but
China set towards the northeast of the countryhundreds of them selling a mountain of traditional
packed with a great array of shopping choices.handicrafts.
From quaint to modern, budget to upscale andWhile collecting your haul of souvenirs and gifts
plain street vendors to dazzling malls, shopping indon’t forget to hunt for some traditional
Tianjin can be both exciting and exhilarating.paintings and painted sculptures. And
So what are the best shopping precincts inthat’s not all. The street is also packed
Tianjin? They include Friendship Department Store,with Chinese curios, beautifully designed potteries
Parkson Shopping Centre, Jinhui Shopping Square,and jade works among other aesthetic crafts.
Shenyang Dao Antique Market. You will also findBut how can you continue your shopping spree on
supermarkets of retail giants in the world likean empty stomach? Guwenhua Jie is not all about
Wal-Mart and Carrefour in Tianjin. But if you arefolk crafts, as there is a host of mouth watering
looking for a more cultural dose to spice up yourlocal snacks and drinks waiting to be savoured by
shopping experience then come to the Guwenhuayou. Among them you definitely ought to try out
Jie also known as the Ancient Culture Street.the Tianjin’s gourmet specials like Goubuli
Guwenhua Jie runs on the west bank of HaiheBaozi and Erduoyan Zhagao. Goubuli Baozi
River and is located in the Nankai District oftranslates to steamed stuffed bun while Erduoyan
Tianjin. It is a street with a rich history spanningZhagao literally means Ear-hole Fried Cake. Both
six centuries. Guwenhua Jie was renovated andwill bring you heavenly flavours and melt in your
expanded in the 1980s and formally opened inmouth as you munch on.
1986. The street straddles about half a kilometreDrop by on March 23rd and you can even enjoy
starting from Gongbei Avenue and ending atthe spirit of Huanghui Fair that comes to this
Gongnan Avenue. Right in the middle of this streetstreet every year on this day. There will be huge
is the famous Taoist temple known as Tianhouand spellbinding dragon lanterns, stunts of stilt
Palace dedicated to the Goddess Tianhou.walkers, surprises of land boats and mesmerizing
A stroll along the Ancient Culture Street of Tianjinlion dances. Be sure to have your camera ready
will take you to the heart of Chinese architectureand eyes opened wide to capture every moment.
as the street is teeming with traditional buildingsIf a little splurge is fine with you then reserve a
and decor. Some of its buildings are centuries oldluxury hotel Tianjin. And if you would prefer
and are covered in vivid paintings and motifs. Thewonderful vistas of the cityscape from a high
familiar Chinese red lantern dazzles throughout thealtitude then Raffles Tianjin would be the best.
street gathered in festoons in front of shops andPresently reigning as the highest penthouse hotel
canopying the street. You will also see some finein Tianjin, this elegant hotel sits at the top of
painted clay sculptures clad in striking costumes,Tianjin Centre, snuggled in the midst of shopping
making various poses and expressions.and business districts. A luxury shopping mall at
Just walking along Guwenhua Jie won’tyour doorstep and all the major transport means
be enough since you will be missing a lot if youonly minutes away, you can look forward to a
don’t check out its countless shops. Thegreat holiday while staying at Raffles Tianjin.