Jianfu Guanyin Temple Tianjin 2019. [Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn]

Jianfu Guanyin Temple was a short metro ride from my hotel. On a beautiful day as the Spring Festival commenced I went there to both spend time in its quiet tranquility while discovering one more attribute to Tianjin's many local attractions. Sitting outside its central Yuantong Hall containing a 4 faced, 1000-hand Guanyin statue I looked towards a 600 year old pagoda tree rising in the courtyard that was adorned with red lanterns. Several local people and monks approached offering me traditional festive greetings. A very happy and peaceful start to the holiday.

Tianjin's Confucius Temple, dating back to the Ming Dynasty similarly provided tranquil moments in an area busy with throngs of seasonal visitors. It sits close to the Ancient Cultural Street centered around Tianhou Temple and the city's Folklore Museum. Its buildings, recreated in Old Tianjin style, bustled with visitors buying local craft goods, calligraphy and famed snacks. To the west, also recalling the historic city, lies an area radiating out from the Drum Tower. Again popular with visitors, folk artists offered figurines created from sugar or dough. Meanwhile brightly decorated kites, fans, calligraphy and carved seals were there in profusion. It was for me, as always, a great time to simply wander through such older areas particularly as they formed core elements within the former walled city. Historically Tianjin serviced the link between China's Grand Canal and Bohai Gulf downriver at Tanggu.