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Old town in Tianjin set for return to its heritage

By Wang Yu (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-06-29 08:23

Artistic rendering of Beitang seafood street in Tianjin built with shipping containers. Its restaurants are expected to open for business in October this year.

A historic fishing town in Tanggu district of Tianjin municipality is slated to return to its roots, yet also become a modern recreation, commercial, exhibition and conference hub.

The centuries-old town of Beitang is well known for its fresh seafood, especially to residents of Beijing and Tianjin municipalities, and Hebei province.

With Tianjin selected as one of the next major growth engines for China, policymakers plan to rebuild Beitang as part of massive efforts underway to redevelop wide swaths of the municipality, one of only four cities under direct administration of the central government.

"Beitang boasts historical heritage, geographic advantages and brand power as a tourism and recreational place," Zhang Jiaxing, head of Tanggu district government, told China Business Weekly.

"That is why we are sparing no effort - combing Beitang's fame and charm with Tianjin's economic developing momentum, we are sure the area will attract more tourists and better entertain and serve people living in the Binhai New Area," he said.

Overall planning for renovation of the town is complete, with the first construction - on Beitang international conference center and a thermal spring village - expected to begin next year.

The blueprint says that by 2012, Beitang will include the conference center, an area highlighting folk customs, a recreation and tourism center and a new residential zone.

The fishing town will then have the capacity to host major international conferences and seminars such as the summer Davos World Economic Forum and better serve visitors from home and overseas, according to planners.

In October every year as marine life matures in North China, seafood lovers gather in Tianjin to enjoy the harvest and now they will have another venue - a new seafood street in Beitang built with used containers from Tianjin Port.

"The new seafood street will display the charm and personality of Beitang and Tanggu," Zhang said.

Beitang's redevelopment comes as residents and workers at Tianjin's nearby Binhai New Area look for a modern leisure center with local characteristics.

"What differentiates Beitang is that it is based on an ancient fishing town instead of starting from scratch," said Qin Haiying, a professor with Nankai University.

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"The future Beitang village will boast cultural elements and will be more cozy and natural compared to exhibitions and conference centers in downtown areas of major metropolises."

"The comprehensive design combined with Beitang's unique elements caters to the demands of both business and leisure tourists," Qin said. "It also helps to fuel the development of Tianjin's service industry, which has been a short leg in the municipality's overall development."

The conference and seminar area will also be home to hotels and commercial support infrastructure.

Plans for the folk custom area call for restoration of the original look of traditional Beitang based on historic documents kept at the China History Museum. It will also include a fishing museum and a hall of fame.

Its recreational and tourism area will include a yacht club, the seafood street, bars and a thermal spring village.

Another area of the redesigned new Beitang is a high-end "eco-community". Low-rise real estate projects will be designed to be environmentally friendly and energy efficient, with commercial and community amenities also provided. The area is also envisioned to include firms doing business in research, consulting, planning and software engineering.

New urban plan for Beitang.