The Tianjin Italian Style Area is located in Hebei District, Tianjin, along the banks of the Haihe River, and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. As the only large-scale architectural complex with Italian style in Asia, it enjoys the reputation of "Little Rome" and has become a highly distinctive tourist landmark in Tianjin with its rich Italian-style architecture and profound historical and cultural heritage. There are nearly 200 buildings of various styles preserved in the scenic area, of which about 60% are Italian-style buildings, covering a variety of architectural styles such as Renaissance and Baroque. Most of these buildings were completed in the early 20th century and have extremely high architectural artistic value. The total area of the scenic area is about 28.45 hectares, and the street layout is in a grid pattern, retaining the original urban planning characteristics of Italy. Strolling through it feels like being in the streets and alleys of Italy.
Historical Culture
The history of the Tianjin Italian Style Area can be traced back to the early 20th century. After the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded China in 1900, Italy forcibly occupied a concession in Tianjin under the Boxer Protocol and designated this area as the Italian concession, which was also Italy's only concession overseas. During the concession period from 1902 to 1943, Italy carried out systematic urban planning and construction here, introduced 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 appearance we see today.
In 1943, Italy announced the relinquishment of its concession in China, and this area returned to Chinese jurisdiction. Through the changes of time, these buildings have been relatively completely preserved. Today, this place is not only a witness to history, but also a microcosm of East-West cultural exchange. It carries important memories of Tianjin's modern development. Many historical events and stories of famous people 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 Area. 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 are unified in style yet each has its own characteristics, displaying the exquisite details of Baroque architecture. It is a popular spot for tourists to take photos.
Liang Qichao's Ice-Drinking Room
Liang Qichao's Ice-Drinking Room is located in the Italian Style Area and was the former residence and study of the modern famous thinker Liang Qichao. It is a two-story Italian Renaissance-style building with a construction area of about 900 square meters. The first floor is the study and reception room, and the second floor is the bedroom and writing room. Here, Liang Qichao wrote a large number of far-reaching articles promoting reformist ideas. Today, part of the original furnishings is preserved indoors, displaying Liang Qichao's life deeds and ideological achievements. It is an important window for understanding modern China's ideological changes.
Former Site of the Italian Barracks
The Former 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 in a typical Italian military style, with a rigorous layout and a magnificent momentum. It was equipped with facilities such as barracks, training grounds, and armories. Its red brick walls and arch structures are highly distinctive. Today, it has become a place for displaying modern military history, with related exhibitions held inside, allowing tourists to learn about the military life and historical background of that time.
Dante Square
Dante Square is named after the famous Italian poet Dante, and a statue of Dante is installed on the square. The surroundings of the square are mostly Italian-style residential buildings, full of a lively atmosphere. The buildings here are bright in color, and the designs of balconies and window lattices are exquisite, showing the unique style of Italian residences. In the evening, residents and tourists often rest here and enjoy the leisurely atmosphere.
Food
Tianjin Goubuli Baozi (Italian Style Area Branch)
Goubuli Baozi is a traditional famous snack in Tianjin. This branch in the Italian Style Area combines traditional food with an exotic environment. Its baozi is famous for its thin skin, generous filling, and uniform pleats. Each baozi has 18 pleats. Fresh pork and seasonal vegetables are used as filling, paired with special seasonings, and the taste is delicious. The interior environment integrates Italian style, allowing tourists to feel a unique atmosphere while tasting food.
Erduoyan Fried Cake (Surrounding Branches)
Erduoyan Fried Cake is one of the "Three Treasures" foods of Tianjin, and there are several branches around the style area. It uses glutinous rice flour as the skin and red bean paste as the filling. After frying, the outer skin is crispy, and the inside is soft and glutinous, sweet and delicious. The production process of the fried cake is particular, requiring high-quality raw materials and multiple procedures. It is deeply loved by locals and tourists.
Italian Restaurants (Several in the Area)
There are several authentic Italian restaurants in the Italian Style Area, offering traditional Italian foods such as pizza, pasta, and steak. Most of these restaurants are opened in century-old Italian-style buildings, with elegant decoration. Many ingredients are imported from Italy, and the cooking methods follow traditional techniques. For example, pizza is baked in an open-flame kiln, with a thin and crispy crust and rich cheese, allowing tourists to taste authentic Italian flavor without going abroad.
Tickets：
Open for free. However, some internal attractions require separate tickets.
You can search for the official public account "Tianjin Italian Style Area" on WeChat to obtain the latest updates or make online reservations and purchase tickets.
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. The opening hours of Liang Qichao's Ice-Drinking Room are 9:00-17:30 (last entry at 17:00), and it is closed on Mondays (except statutory holidays). The opening hours of the Former Site of the Italian Barracks are 9:00-16:30 (last entry at 16:00), and it is closed on Mondays (except statutory holidays). Tourists are advised to 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, admire the Statue of the Goddess of Peace and the surrounding buildings, and take photos (about 30 minutes); then go to Liang Qichao's Ice-Drinking Room to learn about Liang Qichao's life deeds and thoughts (about 1 hour); afterward, walk to the Former Site of the Italian Barracks to visit the military history exhibition (about 40 minutes); then stroll in Dante Square and experience the style of Italian residences (about 20 minutes); finally, enjoy lunch or dinner at an Italian restaurant in the area and experience Italian food (about 1.5 hours). The whole tour takes about 4-5 hours, and the stay time at each attraction can be adjusted according to personal interests.
Transportation：
Subway: Take Tianjin Metro Line 2 and get off at Jianguodao Station, then walk about 500 meters to reach the entrance of the scenic area; or take Metro Line 3 and get off at Jinwan Plaza Station, then walk about 1 kilometer to arrive.
Bus: Multiple bus routes can reach the area, such as 634, 640, 645, 802, 841, 901, etc. Get off at the Italian Style Area Station and you will arrive.
Taxi: Take a taxi within Tianjin and tell the driver that the destination is the main entrance of the Tianjin Italian Style Area. It takes about 10 minutes from Tianjin Station, and the fare is about 10 yuan.
Self-driving: There are parking lots around the scenic area, such as the Italian Style Area Parking Lot. The charging standard is 5 yuan/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. The Statue of the Goddess of Peace and the surrounding Baroque buildings are its features. It is a must-visit place to experience Italian style. The square area is about 1,000 square meters.
Liang Qichao's Ice-Drinking Room: The former residence of an important modern historical figure. The architectural style is unique, and the internal display is rich. It allows a deeper understanding of reformist thought. The construction area is about 900 square meters.
Former Site of the Italian Barracks: An important place showing modern military history. The building is magnificent and has a typical Italian military architectural style. It covers an area of about 13,000 square meters.
Travel Suggestions：
It is recommended to spend half a day to a full day visiting. You can choose to go in the morning or afternoon and avoid peak periods during holidays for a better experience.
Wear comfortable shoes, because most of the scenic area is visited on foot, and the streets are mostly stone-paved roads. Comfortable shoes can reduce fatigue.
Bring a camera or mobile phone. The architectural style in the scenic area is unique and suitable for taking photos, especially at Marco Polo Square and various distinctive buildings.
You can get a free scenic area guide map at the visitor 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 cuisine. It is recommended to learn about restaurant reputations in advance.
Precautions：
Most buildings in the scenic area are historical protected buildings. Please do not climb, carve, or damage building facilities, and protect cultural relics and historic sites.
Keep the scenic area clean and hygienic. Do not spit or litter. Put waste into designated trash bins.
Observe the visiting regulations of each attraction. For example, please do not make loud noises in places such as Liang Qichao's Ice-Drinking Room, and keep quiet.
Pay attention to personal and property safety. There are many tourists in the scenic area, so keep personal belongings safe, especially in crowded places.
Respect local customs and the guidance of scenic area staff, visit in a civilized manner, and jointly maintain a good touring environment.