Tianjin: the European concessions on the Hai River

A former port divided into foreign concessions at the turn of the 20th century, Tianjin preserves quarters in European style alongside a modern skyline along the Hai River.

The center, with its former European concessions on the Hai River, can be comfortably visited by subway.

The Italian Cultural Street, a former Italian concession from the early twentieth century, preserves beautifully restored liberty-style villas, the only Italian concession ever to exist in China.

A few steps away, the Tianjin Eye Ferris Wheel, built directly above a bridge over the Hai River, remains the world's only Ferris wheel integrated into a road bridge.

Continuing along the river you walk through districts of former British and French concessions, with well-preserved Victorian and Art Déco architecture.

As evening approaches, the Antiques Market, near the Sea Temple, displays antiques and traditional Chinese souvenirs.

Tianjin was divided among nine different foreign powers at the turn of the twentieth century, each with its own autonomous administrative concession, a unique case of urban-scale colonial fragmentation in Asia.

The Tianjin Eye, standing over one hundred twenty meters tall and built directly above the Yongle Bridge, allows visitors to observe both river traffic and street traffic below simultaneously during the ascent.