Tianjin Italian Style Street is located in Hebei District, Tianjin, along the banks of the Haihe River. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. As the only large-scale complex of Italian-style buildings in Asia, it is known as the "Little Rome" and has become a distinctive tourist landmark in Tianjin with its strong Italian-style architecture and profound historical and cultural heritage. There are nearly 200 existing buildings of various styles in the scenic area, among which about 60% are Italian-style buildings, covering various architectural styles such as Renaissance and Baroque. Most of these buildings were built in the early 20th century and have extremely high architectural and artistic value. The total area of the scenic area is approximately 28.45 hectares, and the layout of the blocks is chessboard-like, retaining the original urban planning characteristics of Italy. Wandering here, one feels as if they are in the streets and alleys of Italy.
History and Culture
The history of Tianjin Italian Style Street can be traced back to the early 20th century. After the Allied Forces of the Eight Powers invaded China in 1900, Italy occupied a concession in Tianjin in accordance with the Boxer Protocol and designated this area as the Italian Concession, which was the only overseas concession of Italy. During the concession period from 1902 to 1943, Italy carried out systematic urban planning and construction here, introducing advanced Italian architectural concepts and technologies at that time, and built a large number of administrative, residential, commercial and other types of buildings, forming the unique style we see today.
In 1943, Italy announced the abandonment of its concessions in China, and this area was returned to Chinese jurisdiction. After years of changes, these buildings have been relatively well preserved. Today, it is not only a witness to history but also a microcosm of cultural exchanges between the East and the West, carrying important memories of Tianjin's modern development. Many historical events and stories of celebrities are related to this place, adding a strong humanistic atmosphere to the scenic area.
Main Attractions
Marco Polo Square
Marco Polo Square is the core area of the Italian Style Street. In the center of the square stands a 13.6-meter-high statue of the Goddess of Peace, designed by the famous Italian sculptor Giuseppe Boni, symbolizing peace and friendship. Surrounding the square are 6 Italian-style buildings, forming a unique semicircular layout. These buildings have a unified style yet each has its own characteristics, showing the exquisite details of Baroque architecture, making it a popular spot for tourists to take photos.
Liang Qichao's Yinbing Study
Liang Qichao's Yinbing Study is located in the Italian Style Street, which was the former residence and studio of Liang Qichao, a famous modern thinker. It is a two-story building in the Italian Renaissance style with a construction area of about 900 square meters. The first floor is a study and reception room, and the second floor is a bedroom and writing room. Here, Liang Qichao wrote a large number of influential articles to promote reformist ideas. Now, some of the original furnishings are retained indoors, displaying Liang Qichao's life story and ideological achievements, making it an important window to understand the ideological changes in modern China.
Site of the Italian Barracks
The Site of the Italian Barracks was built in 1916, covering an area of about 13,000 square meters with a construction area of about 5,000 square meters. It was the military garrison of the Italian Concession at that time. The building is of a typical Italian military style, with a rigorous layout and a magnificent momentum, including barracks, training grounds, armories and other facilities. Its red brick walls and arch structures are very distinctive. Now it has become a place to display modern military history, with relevant exhibitions held inside to let visitors understand the military life and historical background at that time.
Dante Square
Dante Square is named after the famous Italian poet Dante, and there is a statue of Dante in the square. The surrounding area of the square is mostly Italian-style residential buildings, full of life atmosphere. The buildings here have bright colors, and the design of the balconies and window lattices is exquisite, showing the unique style of Italian residences. Every evening, residents and tourists often rest here to enjoy the leisurely atmosphere.
Food
Tianjin Goubuli Baozi (Italian Style Street Branch)
Goubuli Baozi is a traditional famous food in Tianjin. This branch in the Italian Style Street combines traditional food with an exotic environment. Its buns are famous for their thin skin, large filling, and uniform folds, with each bun having 18 folds. Fresh pork and seasonal vegetables are used for the filling, with special seasonings, making them delicious. The interior environment of the restaurant integrates Italian style, allowing tourists to feel a unique atmosphere while tasting the food.
Erduoyan Fried Cake (Surrounding Branches)
Erduoyan Fried Cake is one of the "Three Treasures" of Tianjin food, with many branches around the style town. It uses glutinous rice flour for the skin and red bean paste for the filling. After frying, the outer skin is crispy, the inner part is soft and glutinous, and it is sweet and delicious. The production process of the fried cake is exquisite, requiring high-quality raw materials and going through multiple procedures, which is loved by locals and tourists.
Italian Restaurants (Multiple in the Area)
There are many authentic Italian restaurants in the Italian Style Street, offering traditional Italian foods such as pizza, pasta, and steak. Most of these restaurants are located in century-old Italian-style buildings, with elegant decoration styles. The ingredients are mostly imported from Italy, and the cooking methods follow traditional techniques. For example, pizza is baked in a wood-fired kiln, with a thin and crispy crust and rich cheese, allowing tourists to taste authentic Italian flavors without leaving the country.
Tickets
It is open for free. However, some internal attractions require separate tickets.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "天津意风区" to get the latest news or book tickets online.
Opening Hours
The block is open 24 hours a day, and tourists can enter at any time. However, internal paid attractions have fixed opening hours. Liang Qichao's Yinbing Study is open from 9:00 to 17:30 (admission stops at 17:00) and is closed every Monday (except legal holidays). The Site of the Italian Barracks is open from 9:00 to 16:30 (admission stops at 16:00) and is closed every Monday (except legal holidays). It is recommended that tourists arrange their time reasonably to avoid missing the opening hours of the attractions.
Tour Route
A classic tour route is recommended: Enter from the main entrance of the scenic area, first come to Marco Polo Square to admire the statue of the Goddess of Peace and the surrounding buildings, and take photos (about 30 minutes). Then go to Liang Qichao's Yinbing Study to learn about Liang Qichao's life story and ideas (about 1 hour). After that, walk to the Site of the Italian Barracks to visit the military history exhibition (about 40 minutes). Then stroll around Dante Square to feel the style of Italian residences (about 20 minutes). Finally, enjoy lunch or dinner in an Italian restaurant in the area to experience Italian cuisine (about 1.5 hours). The total tour time is about 4-5 hours, and the staying time at each attraction can be adjusted according to personal interests.
Transportation
- Subway: Take Tianjin Metro Line 2 to Jianguo Road Station, walk about 500 meters to reach the entrance of the scenic area; or take Metro Line 3 to Jinwan Square Station, walk about 1 kilometer to reach.
- Bus: There are many bus routes available, such as 634, 640, 645, 802, 841, 901, etc. Get off at the Italian Style Street Station.
- Taxi: Take a taxi in Tianjin and tell the driver the destination is the main entrance of Tianjin Italian Style Street. It takes about 10 minutes from Tianjin Railway Station, with a fare of about 10 yuan.
- Self-driving: There are parking lots around the scenic area, such as the Italian Style Street Parking Lot, with a charging standard of 5 yuan per hour, which is convenient for self-driving tourists to park their vehicles.
Must-visit Attractions
- Marco Polo Square: The core landmark of the scenic area, featuring the statue of the Goddess of Peace and surrounding Baroque buildings. It is a must-visit place to feel the Italian style, with a square area of about 1,000 square meters.
- Liang Qichao's Yinbing Study: The former residence of an important modern historical figure, with a unique architectural style and rich internal displays, allowing in-depth understanding of reformist ideas, with a construction area of about 900 square meters.
- Site of the Italian Barracks: An important place to display modern military history, with a magnificent building and a typical Italian military architectural style, covering an area of about 13,000 square meters.
Travel Suggestions
- It is recommended to spend half a day to a day here. You can choose to go in the morning or afternoon, avoiding the peak hours on holidays for a better experience.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as most of the tour in the scenic area is on foot, and the streets are mostly paved with stone slabs. Comfortable shoes can reduce fatigue.
- Bring a camera or mobile phone, as the architectural style in the scenic area is unique, suitable for taking photos, especially Marco Polo Square and various characteristic buildings.
- You can get a free scenic area guide map at the tourist service center in the scenic area to facilitate planning the tour route.
- When tasting food, you can choose according to personal taste. There are both traditional Tianjin foods and authentic Italian dishes. It is recommended to learn about the restaurant's reputation in advance.
Notes
- Most of the buildings in the scenic area are historical protected buildings. Do not climb, carve or damage the building facilities, and cherish cultural relics and historic sites.
- Keep the scenic area clean and hygienic. Do not spit or litter, and put waste in designated trash cans.
- Abide by the visiting regulations of each attraction. For example, do not make loud noises in places like Liang Qichao's Yinbing Study and keep quiet.
- Pay attention to personal and property safety. There are many tourists in the scenic area, so keep your personal belongings safe, especially in crowded places.
- Respect local customs and the guidance of the scenic area staff, visit in a civilized manner, and jointly maintain a good visiting environment.