00:10Steam rises from dragon-spout brass pots serving traditional Chinese cha-tang, an aromatic soup.
00:18The chubby child depicted in the Yang Liuqing New Year painting looks charming and adorable,
00:23while welcoming coals from crosstalk tea houses echo through the air.
00:29Located on the west bank of the Haihai River, Tianjin's ancient culture street is one of the earliest economic, cultural,
00:37and trade hubs of the city.
00:40The block also proudly carries the title of the birthplace of Tianjin Wei, a garrison town and the precursor to
00:47today's Tianjin municipality in North China.
00:50It preserves the city's rich heritage of canal transport, dockside life, and folk traditions.
00:55From Guifaxiang, 18th Street, Mahua, a traditional fried dough twist, to clay figurine Zhang and the Yang Liuqing New Year
01:03painting,
01:04this block brings together generations of traditional craftsmanship, showcasing the distinctive charm of Tianjin.
01:15On Tianjin's ancient culture street, a red signboard bearing the gilded Chinese characters,
01:22clay figurine Zhang family catches the eye.
01:25Clay figurine Zhang is one of the representative forms of clay sculpture art in northern China.
01:31Inside the quaint and refined shop, lifelike painted clay figurines are displayed in glass cases.
01:38Ahead of the spring festival in 2024, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Tianjin's ancient culture street.
01:46Walking along the street that has an air of antiquity, he stepped into several unique shops,
01:52asking about categories and sales of their products,
01:55and the inheritance and development of traditional cultural heritages.
01:59At the clay figurine Zhang shop, Liu Qiang, an experienced craftsman, was focusing on restoring a clay figurine.
02:08The craftsman walked Xi through each step of the process, from drying and firing to polishing and coloring.
02:15Xi said the spirit of craftsmanship, passed down through generations of artisans, has helped sustain cultural heritage.
02:39Xi pointed out that Chinese modernization cannot be achieved without the inheritance and promotion of fine traditional culture,
02:48and that Tianjin is a city with distinct characteristics and charm.
02:52It is necessary to protect and make good use of historical and cultural blocks,
02:57so that they can add to the beauty of this modern metropolis, said the president.
03:04The shop of Guifaxxiong, 18th Street Mahwa, on this street, welcomes a steady stream of tourists all day.
03:10The fried dough food available there is one of the most iconic Tianjin snacks.
03:15Each step of its production follows traditional standards.
03:35Inside a nearby shop named Yang Liu Qing New Year Painting,
03:38The iconic Chabi Child is no longer confined to paper.
03:42Instead, this famous figure has been transformed into decorative patterns on cups,
03:48elegant motifs on silk scarves, and ingenious designs on ornaments.
03:53The history of the Yang Liu Qing New Year painting dates back to the Ming Dynasty.
03:58Thanks to the Grand Canal, once a vital trade route in China,
04:01The crafts embody a cultural fusion between northern and southern China,
04:06absorbing diverse influences while maintaining their distinctive folk charm.
04:11During Xi's inspection tour of the street in 2024,
04:15he visited the Yang Liu Qing New Year painting shop
04:18and looked carefully at each step of the process,
04:21ranging from outlining and carving to printing, painting, and mounting.
04:38Yang Liu Qing New Year painting used to be one of the most iconic symbols of the Chinese New Year.
04:44Now, it is an aesthetic form in contemporary life,
04:48and more than just a symbol of the Spring Festival.
04:50In recent years, an initiative aiming to bring
04:53Old New Year Painting Woodblocks Back to Life was launched,
04:56helping this traditional craft resonate with modern tastes.
05:07Strolling along the ancient culture street
05:10offers visitors a glimpse of Tianjin's rich cultural heritage.
05:14Over the years, supportive policies have been introduced,
05:18helping more than 40 time-honored brands
05:21and intangible cultural heritage shops
05:23better preserve and display traditional culture and craftsmanship.
05:27Cultural businesses now account for over 60% of the block's commercial activities.
05:33In 2025, the street recorded more than 13.5 million tourist trips.
05:39Rich in history and tourism resources,
05:41the century-old block preserves the memories of local people
05:45and showcases the charm of Tianjin culture
05:48via generations of craftsmanship and innovation.
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