Mazu Culture

As the source of all life, water is naturally the wellspring of Binhai New Area culture. The area’s distinctive character derives from rivers and oceans. Bustling water transportation on the Haihe River and Grand Canal nourished local culture, as the vast Bohai Bay brought to it the customs and folkways of foreign lands. It was thus rivers and the sea that brought the collision and fusion of China’s north and south cultures, of those of China and the West, and of traditional and modern culture. Binhai New Area thus constitutes a vivid regional cultural feature.

Mazu, the Chinese sea goddess, was originally enshrined on Meizhou Island in southeastern province of Fujian. It was grain transportation during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) that extended her presence from Fujian to Tianjin (known as Zhiguzhai at that time). Sailors from the south introduced Mazu Culture and built a temple for the sea goddess. More than 100 years later the city was renamed Tianjin.

The Mazu Cultural Park in Binhai New Area covers a 39,000-square-meter area of reclaimed land. In the park is a statue of Mazu that stands 42.3-meter tall, highest in the world. It was made from 858 stone blocks.

There are around 5,000 Mazu Temples worldwide that link the beliefs of ethnic Chinese living along the Maritime Silk Road. Tianjin has taken great care to sustain its Mazu culture since the prosperous reigns during Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. Combining tourism, commerce, and entertainment, the park also serves as a platform for economic and cultural exchanges among countries and regions along the Maritime Silk Road.

Russian Splendor on the Aircraft Carrier

For those who relish an exotic ambience, the Kiev aircraft carrier in the Tianjin Binhai Aircraft Carrier Theme Park marina was formerly flagship of the former Soviet Union’s Northern Fleet. In May 2000 the Kiev departed from Russia’s naval port and arrived on August 29, 2000 in Tianjin’s Nanjiang Port. The 16,850-sea-mile voyage took 102 days, a magnificent feat in shipping history.

There are no longer warplanes and naval officers and men on this awesome aircraft carrier. But you can hear from its silent deck the lapping of waves. In the spacious cabin below is a display of navy uniforms, weapons, and medals which give visitors a glimpse of past events and people.

The aircraft carrier Kiev is the star attraction of the theme park. It also includes a weapons exhibition, conference venues, outdoor training, recreation and entertainment, and is a popular location for movie and TV program shoots.

The Russian Cultural Street is resplendent in Russian architecture and authentic local commodities.

There are also performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, one of the world’s most loved ballets. Visitors also have the chances to interact with the ballet’s performers.

Industrial Tourism in the Ascendant

Led by high-end manufacturing industry projects such as rockets, large aircrafts, locomotives, shipbuilding, and oil refining, Binhai New Area is boosting its commercial development and drawing growing numbers of visitors.

The Airbus (Tianjin) Final Assembly Co., Ltd. workshop contains mounting racks whereon five A320 planes await assembly. Since going into operation in 2008, the assembly line has manufactured more than 300 airplanes.

Since its launch in 2011, industrial tourism here has achieved rapid growth. Its three strands of industrial tourism have also given rise to a number of related tourism services such as themed industrial carnivals and double-deck bus sightseeing trips.