Italian Style Town
意式风情区
The former Italian concession in Tianjin, home to Asia's best-preserved cluster of Italian-style architecture. Cafés and former residences of notable figures surround Marco Polo Square.
The Italian-Style Town lies on the north bank of the Haihe River in Hebei District, across from Tianjin Railway Station. It is the site of the Italian concession from 1902 to 1943 and, beyond Italy itself, the largest and best-preserved cluster of Italian-style architecture. About 200 red-roofed, sloped-roof Italian-style buildings surround Marco Polo Square and Dante Square.
Highlights include the Goddess of Peace Column at the center of Marco Polo Square, the Yinbingshi Studio of Liang Qichao (admission about 10 yuan, interior open to visitors), the Former Residence of Cao Yu, the Former Residence of Yuan Shikai, and the former Italian Consulate. Along Freedom Road and Minzu Road, you will find open-air cafés and Western restaurants.
A suggested route: from Tianjin Railway Station, cross the river via Beian Bridge into the district. Explore Marco Polo Square and the Liang Qichao Former Residence first, then walk along Minzu Road to the Haihe River to see Jiefang Bridge and Jinwan Plaza. In the evening, once the lights come on, dine at an open-air restaurant.
The district is open for free and can be explored at any time, but it is quite commercialized, and dining prices are on the high side. For more affordable meals, try Tianjin-style restaurants nearby. Getting there: about a 10 minute walk from Tianjin Railway Station on Metro Lines 2 and 3, or a 5 minute walk from Jianguo Dao station on Line 2. It is within 20 minutes on foot of the Tianjin Eye and Ancient Culture Street, so the three can be combined into a single day along the north bank of the Haihe.
Note: On weekends and holidays, crowds around the square are very large, and some shops close after 9 p.m. The buildings are in Republican-era style, so avoid harsh midday light when photographing.
Opening hours
Open all day (Liang Qichao's former residence and others approx. 09:00–17:00)
Nearby sights
- Liang Qichao Memorial (Ice Drinker's Studio)
- Tianjin Railway Station & Century Clock
- Haihe River
- Heping Road & Binjiang Road
- Jiefang North Road & Jinwan Plaza
- Ancient Culture Street
- Porcelain House
- Wanghailou Church