Guwenhua Jie,

Tianjin Tianjin (; ; Mandarin: ), alternately romanized as Tientsin (), is a municipality and a coastal metropolis in Northern China on the shore of the Bohai Sea. It is one of the nine national central cities in Mainland China, with a total popu ...

's Ancient Culture Street, is a pedestrian pathway complex dotted with temple gates and kiosks on the west bank of the

Hai River The Hai River (海河, lit. "Sea River"), also known as the Peiho, ("White River"), or Hai Ho, is a Chinese river connecting Beijing to Tianjin and the Bohai Sea. The Hai River at Tianjin is formed by the confluence of five watercourses: the ...

, China. The

Nankai District Nankai District () is a district of Tianjin, People's Republic of China. Nankai District borders the Hai River in the east and Chentangzhuang Railway in the west and south. A number of important Tianjin landmarks lie in the district including the ...

area is classified as a

AAAAA scenic area AAAAA (5A) is awarded to the most important and best-maintained tourist attractions in the People's Republic of China, given the highest level in the rating categories used by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. As of 2020, there are 279 touris ...

by the

China National Tourism Administration The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA; ) was a Chinese government authority responsible for the development of tourism in the country. The CNTA was subordinate to the State Council. Its headquarters are in Beijing, with regional branch ...

. Tianjin Ancient Culture Street was opened on New Year's Day in 1986. It preserves the architectural style of

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-spea ...

, with its Niangniang Palace honoring the sea-goddess Mazu in the center. There are many tourist attractions along the street.

Queen of Heaven Palace

The Queen of Heaven, Tianhou, or Niangniang Palace is a

temple A temple (from the Latin ) is a building reserved for spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. Religions which erect temples include Christianity (whose temples are typically called churches), Hinduism (whose temples ...

to the

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of ...

sea-goddess Mazu, a medieval

Fujian Fujian (; alternately romanized as Fukien or Hokkien) is a province on the southeastern coast of China. Fujian is bordered by Zhejiang to the north, Jiangxi to the west, Guangdong to the south, and the Taiwan Strait to the east. Its cap ...

ese who was later deified. It is in the middle of the Ancient Culture Street. Other names include "Niangniang" or "Tianhou Temple", the "Tianfei Palace", the "Xiaozhigu Tianfei Palace", and the "Western Temple". The Niangniang Palace was first constructed in 1326 under the Yuan; it has subsequently been repaired many times. The complex faces east with the Haihe River running in front. From east to west, the main buildings are the Opera Tower, the Flag Pole, the Temple Gate, the Memorial Archway, the Front Hall, the Main Hall, Canon-Storing Pavilion, the Qisheng Temple, the Bell-Drum Tower, the Side Hall, and the Zhangxian Pavilion. The Main Hall is constructed on a high and large platform, which is typical for wooden structures of the mid- to late-

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China ruled by the Han peo ...

. The complex is one of the three major surviving Mazu temples in China and one of the oldest. The main function of the temple is to pray for safe navigation. The palace was a center of marine sacrifice in past dynasties and a venue for sailors to have happy get-togethers. Besides ceremonial rituals held to worship the Goddess of the Sea, performances are held to thank her. It is said that the 23rd day of the third month of the Chinese lunar calendar is Matsu's birthday and a folk flower fair is held here annually to commemorate her on the day. File:MazuTemple.jpg, Main gate, announcing that the temple was "imperially established" File:天后宫牌坊.jpg, The entry

paifang A ''paifang'', also known as a ''pailou'', is a traditional style of Chinese architectural arch or gateway structure. Evolved from the Indian subcontinent's ''torana'' through the introduction of Buddhism to China, it has developed many styles ...

File:China Tianjin 5227632.jpg, The entry paifang in 2015 File:China Tianjin 5227628.jpg , An altar with idol and offerings File:天津天后宫香火.jpg , Incense burners File:View near Tianjin Tianhou Temple.jpg , The street outside the temple File:天后宫铭牌.jpg, The site's official tourism plaque

Yuhuangge Taoist Temple

Yuhuangge Taoist Temple was once the most famous building group in Hai River Triple Junction. In 2007, an ancient government road in Ming Dynasty was found, however large-scale excavation was not made due to architectural and other reasons. A few days ago, many famous historians had special argumentation in respect of discovering historical and cultural resources of the Cultural Street, and improving the cultural landscape of Yuhuangge Taoist Temple. Around Yuhuangge Taoist Temple, there may be many historical relics and sites to be discovered. Experts advised the restoration of the museum held by historical Zhili Public Welfare Services in this Temple about one hundred years ago, forming the “Yuhuangge Historical Museum”. Yuhuangge was built in Hongwu Years of

, 1368 AD, and is one of the oldest buildings remaining in Tianjin.

References

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