Fading Tianjin Scenery

Author: Luo Huawen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: Based on the historical and cultural characteristics of Tianjin, this book is divided into six sections: "Old City's Ancient Charm," "Foreign Quarter's Scenic Views," "Financial Market's Shadow," "Daily Life's Grand View," "Literary Heritage's Traces," and "Street Market's Remnants." It introduces over one hundred famous scenic spots that have disappeared from memory from different perspectives, aspects, functions, and experiences. The book places significant emphasis on the aesthetic value of the scenery itself and the equal importance of old photographs. For example, Tianjin's Lüzutang is the only relatively well-preserved site of the Boxer Alliance's headquarters and a national key cultural relic protection unit, holding high historical value. However, its architectural value and social recognition are not as high as those of the Gordon Hall in the British Concession, and its photographic quality is also inferior. As a result, Gordon Hall naturally receives more attention in the book than Lüzutang. Due to the profound historical and cultural heritage of Tianjin and the limited scope of this book, some other famous scenic spots are not included. Additionally, some well-known landmarks, such as the Austro-Hungarian Consulate, the German Garden, the Zilin Church, the Indian Temple, the Yu Huangge, the Bohai Building, the Baifu Building Complex, the Beijiang Museum, the Dalotian, the Chinese Racetrack, the Jing Yuan, the Qing Wangfu, the Liang Qichao's Qinbing Room, the Li Shucun's Letter Residence, the Zhang Xun's Residence, the Gu Weijun's Residence, the Li Jicong's Residence, the Yan Huqing's Residence, the Liu Guanxiong's Residence, the Tang Yulin's Residence, the Wu Yulin's Residence, the Duan Qirui's Residence, the Bao Guiqing's Residence, the Pan Fu's Residence, the Sun Chuanfang's Residence, the Zhang Xueliang's Residence, the Niumaosi·Bulton's Residence, the Feng Guozhang's Residence, the Xu Chang's Residence, the Yuan Family (Yuan Shikai's family) Residence, the Cao (Cao Kun) Family Garden, the Li Shanren Garden, the Li Chun Temple, and the Zeng Gong (Zeng Guofan) Temple, are also excluded due to the unavailability of authentic old photographs or unsatisfactory angles, clarity, and viewing effects. However, the book also provides targeted introductions to some famous landmarks. For instance, considering Li Hongzhang's special contributions to Tianjin's development, the Tianjin Li Gong (Hongzhang) Temple, built by Yuan Shikai, is the highest in and largest in Li Gong Temple in the country. The original building has largely disappeared and is gradually fading from memory. Therefore, the book dedicates more text to the Li Gong Temple and includes four relatively rare photographs. In summary, the author strives to provide a new interpretive text for understanding Tianjin's historical and cultural heritage.