Tianjin, What To Do? - Italian Style Town | Top Places to go in Tianjin

Austin In China
Austin In China
10,256
0
Publicado 2014-11-17
The Italian Style Town is located in Tianjin's former Italian concession. I show you around and let you know what there is to do!

(from "The Culture Trip")
Resurrected prior to the 2008 Olympics after nearly 70 years, Tianjin‘s Italian Style Town revitalized the former concession’s neighborhood that was once inhabited by hundreds, if not thousands, of colonialists from Italy. Today this vibrant area is especially directed towards tourists from within China and abroad. Italian Style Town (also known as ‘Italian Style Street‘) was first constructed in the early 20th century and now offers a plethora of westernized restaurants, boutique shops, bars, and outdoor bazaars – here’s our guide to the best.

Italian Style Town, formerly known as the Italian concession of colonial-era Tianjin, is situated right along Haihe River. It’s not solely dedicated to Italian food and culture, as other European nationality restaurants like German and French establishments are also on site. The area is commonly known for its historical residences, lavish yet authentic European cuisines, Western art displays, and chic bars. Italian Style Town’s name is used interchangeably with with ‘Italian Style Street’ since it’s a neighborhood and not one street. Just across the Haihe River is Ancient Culture Street and Financial Road.

First designated to the Italian colonists of Tianjin in 1902, this concession was occupied by Italy until the end of World War II, and in 1946, was finally handed over to local Chinese authorities. With the intention of revamping the once thriving area into a tourist hub, in 1999 Tianjin’s city government entered into an agreement with a construction corporation to protect and redevelop the Italian concession into ‘Italian Style Town’. The renovation was completed in 2005 and opened to the public in 2008. Today, Italian Style Town is one Tianjin’s most favored attractions and in 2013 it garnered plaudits as a class 4A tourist destination.

At the epicenter of Italian Style Town is the famed Marco Polo Plaza, and the entire town is said to resemble the shape of a chessboard, squarely checkered with establishments and streets. The Free Path is the Street’s sole pedestrian-friendly walkway and is marked with street lamps, green trees, and refurbished fences from the old era. Its original European buildings are what give the Street its true Italian feel.

The main driver of tourists is not only the pursuit of authentic, imported-ingredient rich Italian cuisines like pizza and pasta, but also Italian cultural live events such as musical performances, clothing and art exhibitions. Italian Style Street is among Tianjin’s only neighborhoods that are friendly to all-nighters, as some of its bars stay open until the small hours.

The obvious draw of Tianjin’s Italian Style Town is its food scene, with both ingredients and even chefs hailing from Italy itself. Some of the city’s best dishes are served right here, but are more on the expensive side. Venezia Club Italian Restaurant is highly regarded for its plates of pasta while Brasserie FLO serves high-end French and European dishes.

A number of of Italian Style Town’s classic buildings housed some of the most famous figureheads in Tianjin history. Former residences include those of Liang Qichao, Feng Guozhang, Cao Yu, Hua Shikui, the First Worker Cultural Palace and the Italian Military Barracks.

youtube.com/user/serpentza
youtube.com/user/laowhy86
youtube.com/user/nujtik
youtube.com/user/cheesindave

Facebook: www.facebook.com/letchinasleep2
Twitter: @LetChinaSleep
我的微博：@懒惰老外
My old blog: www.austinguidryexperiencingchina.blogspot.com/

Tianjin, What To Do? - Italian Style Town | Top Places to go in Tianjin #tianjin #italiantown #tianjinitaliantown
Todos los comentarios (21)
  • @gabpeg
    Hello Austin, I m the PR manager (and son of the owner) from Venezia Club Italian Restaurant. Our restaurant is the only one real italian in all the area, we got from thea Chinese and the Italian Government the certification of quality. Nice video, thanks :)
  • @gfcarrera
    Awesome! My father was in the Italian Navy and lived in the Italian Concession in Tianjin for four years in the 30s.. I have pictures of Marco Polo Square taken back then. Would love to visit now.
  • @MountMonty
    Awesome! I love collaborations. I've been watching yours and Winston's videos for a while now, so I'm sure I'll enjoy these upcoming videos. Thanks for the upload!
  • @EnkhbatKhurts
    i liked how u showed those guys takin pictures with ur finger ;)
  • @snarkyguy
    A couple of those statues and the column looked like something straight out of Rome. Very cool! Also I was going to ask what your shooting with these days? I got a look at the Beard's camera and Winston's last Sunday. Are you shooting in 60fps? Just curious.
  • @a69330906
    Wow that's cool, you combined with the other vloggers in China (such like serpentza), and you guys even share the same style titling the video, looks like you are trying to make a  "what to do" series, ha.  
  • @AshyGr33n
    60FPS like a champ! :D Also, the new intro is great, but I'd say it should be twice as fast, and if you could make "what to do" drop with rhythm like "ta, ta-ta" that would be perfect.
  • @stefanosong9314
    懒惰老外~~Sorry for knowing your name as Austin Guidry till now. I have been following you from WEIBO to YouTube (because i am studying in Italy right now), and i have a question. Did you do all of the subtitles for the videos you uploaded in Youku? of course my English is quite enough to watch your videos without that, just being curious
  • @wowzj
    懒惰老外  刚在youku看完你的 eat all of things  。哈哈哈哈追到这里看看