Marco Polo Square
Column and fountain.
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The quarter that was Italy's only concession outside Italy, granted in 1902 on the north bank of the Hai River, where Italy built villas, gardens, a club and a market in the Italian manner until China recovered it in the 1940s. The quarter was restored between 2002 and 2008 and opened to visitors, becoming one of the largest groups of Italian architecture in Asia, with villas under red tile roofs, balconies and columns, centred on Marco Polo Square with its marble column and fountain. Its streets are full of restaurants and cafés, and it holds homes of notable Chinese figures, including that of the thinker Liang Qichao, now a museum; it lies close to Tianjin railway station, the Hai River and the Tianjin Eye. The quarter is free and always open, per visitor guides. The evening, when the villas are lit, is the loveliest time; many Italian restaurants serve pork and wine, so ask before ordering.
Column and fountain.
Red tile roofs.
A museum.
Hebei District, north bank of the Hai River, Tianjin
Jiefang Bridge and the Hai River banksTianjin's best-known old bridge, a 97.64-metre steel bascule bridge over the Hai8 minutes walk
Porcelain HouseOne of China's strangest buildings, a 1920s French-style mansion in the old Fren14 minutes walk
Ancient Culture Street and the Great MosqueA pedestrian street 687 metres long on the west bank of the Hai River, rebuilt i15 minutes walkYes, the quarter is free and always open, and it is loveliest in the evening when the villas are lit, per visitor guides.