Tianjin

From Chengde we made a couple of hours of ride before we hit Tianjin. Why were we there? Lily the tour guide related that the city grew as a port and its importance as a port has grown many folds. Today, Tianjin has flourished in trade and business due to its position.

But what did we see there?

So what do you make out of this?

Drawing tons of tourists, this make believe house of known Ming Pottery was an attraction in the city. Apparently an influential character of the past who wanted to repay his love for the country decided to set up a house of pottery to collect funds for the state coffers. So, people are curious about its architecture and wanted a first hand look of the place. 

The ceiling of one of its corners was decorated with Ming pottery plates. 

It was difficult to scrutinize from below but they seem ordinary to my eyes.

 Every nook and corner had patches of pottery till we wonder if there was a necessity... 

So on a very hot afternoon, pushing our way through hundreds, it was a chore indeed to want to appreciate the art behind the pottery facade.

 This was part of the body of a dragon-like feature covering the top of the building.

Beautifully patched up rest rooms. Behind the door there was no latch. I know because I went in.

The beauty of the pottery dimmed in importance after you witness nothing but everything made out of them. To be rare is value.

Along the streets of Tianjin I noticed the trunks of trees painted in white from the bottom. This is also true in other parts of the northern states. I was told that this feature kept the trees away from the cold during winter and they survive better.

The next attraction was the food center. Here we tasted and saw all kinds of sweet delight and it would take guts at my age to try to taste them. Truly good to the eyes but not the body.

The "Ma Wah" delight on the left is famous here but we do get a lot of them back in Malaysia. The tour guide spoke great things of it and so we bought some. Actually taste buds are strange. You get  acquainted with your usual taste and I hate to say it but I prefer the ones back home. 

 Stores flanked on both sides of the lanes and prices are competitive. 

It is a matter of choice and the skill of the vendors play a huge role.

Tianjin food street.

Not many among us were keen to scour this cultural street; thanks to the scorching sun. Nevertheless, as we were already there we alighted from the coach and strolled along the streets of old Tianjin.

The items on display resemble remnants of the past and would be a treasure trove for some. The items were really old and some deliplated.

 Ordinary ornaments.

 These wood structures are well structured.

We asked this man to play the er-hu. It was old but he did produce some sounds out of it.

Guess what? We bought it for RM30.00 and is now hanging on one of the walls at home.

We remember Tianjin forever.

Perhaps the best experience of Tianjin was the HSR.

The journey to Beijing was a mere 35 minutes on this high speed rail. Otherwise it would have taken 2 to 3 hours on the road. So, we came to Tianjin for this great experience too.

Back home will we have this too from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur?

Plans are on the table but the execution may or may not happen.

The ride is smooth and effortless; so fast and pleasant.

The Malaysians on the HSR.

A good experience of a life time.

Tianjin would have been plain without this.