The host city of Summer Davos 2018, Tianjin, is the largest coastal city in North China. This time-honored city is famous for its culture, fascinating scenery and abundant resources.
If you come to Tianjin, Ancient Culture Street is undoubtedly the best place to visit to learn about traditional Chinese culture. The street was originally constructed in the style of the Qing Dynasty and large portions of it were constructed with original architecture.
The street's highlights include two original archways with engravings dating back to ancient times and hundreds of small shops and food stalls built in original Qing Dynasty style.
The street is also a great place to find traditional snacks. Tianjin's food combines seafood with traditional snacks dating back hundreds of years.
There are fried dough twists, steamed rice cakes that you can get decorated with fruit, chocolates or sesame, and also"cha tang" - millet flour porridge with sugar. Water for the gruel is poured from a kettle with a long, dragon-shaped spout and only a master can handle it.
Of course, there is much more to discover in Tianjin besides for just traditional snacks. The city is famous for producing intricate, handcrafted clay figures. The craft has an almost 200-year history and its techniques are passed down from generation to generation.
As the sun begins to set over Tianjin, one of the best places to be is on the river. The skylines and views across the banks of the Haihe river, which runs through the city, provide a beautiful juxtaposition of the old and the new.
The waterways of the Haihe River were crucial for shipping grain from the south of China to Beijing, but these days, they're a perfect way to relax after taking in the sites.
Another unique must-see experience in Tianjin is something called "cross-talk", a traditional form of Chinese comedy. It's similar to stand-up, but always involves two people.
From street food and architecture to waterways and cross-talk, and plenty more besides, Tianjin has something for everyone.
