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Gulou Commercial Street, located in Nankai District, Tianjin, is a large pedestrian street integrating tourism and shopping. Today, Gulou Commercial Street is T-shaped, stretching from Chengxiang East Road in the east to Chengxiang Middle Road in the west, and from Chengxiang Middle Road in the north to Chengxiang Middle Road in the south, resembling the majestic appearance of a roc spreading its wings. With a total construction area of 70,000 square meters, the street is dominated by blue-tiled buildings in the Ming and Qing dynasties style, with the majority being two to four stories high, staggered in height.
The commercial street is divided into three sections: the 300-meter-long North Street, dedicated to antiques and the Golden Pavilion Art Market; the 580-meter-long East Street, a boutique shopping street; and the 240-meter-long South Street, an Oriental City that Never Sleeps, featuring traditional Tianjin folk culture, commerce, and dining. The landscape blends traditional, cultural, Tianjin-inspired, folk-inspired, and modern elements, fully embodying a people-oriented approach.
The street's cultural landscape is reflected in the design of plaques, couplets, shop signs, storefronts, lighting, neon lights, and light boxes. Horizontal plaques predominate, interspersed with vertical plaques, unusually shaped plaques, and fan-shaped plaques. Red seals with gold characters on a black background and red seals with natural green characters evoke a sense of simplicity, elegance, and grandeur. Couplets also often employ this style. Scripts range from regular script, running script, cursive script, official script, Han Dynasty bamboo slips, and Wei Dynasty stele script. Some even commission inscriptions from renowned calligraphers; printed and boldface script is rarely used. Shop signs and storefronts are categorized into four types: textual, figurative, object-oriented, and symbolic.
Warm temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate; Gulou Commercial Street is a large commercial and tourist pedestrian street with Gulou as its center, integrating tourism, culture, shopping and leisure, and is suitable for travel in all seasons.
It is recommended to play for 2-3 hours
Free and open
Open all day
Drum Tower Commercial Street is located in the heart of Tianjin, an important port city with a history dating back to the Ming Dynasty. The Drum Tower itself was once used for timekeeping, and the area around it has evolved into a commercial hub, blending traditional Chinese culture with modern commerce.
Drum Tower Commercial Street is located in the central area of Tianjin. You can reach it by taking the metro to Drum Tower Station (Line 2). Buses and taxis are also convenient options. The area is walkable if you're staying nearby.
The street is open year-round, with shops generally operating from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. For a more relaxed experience, visit during weekdays or early mornings before the crowds arrive.
There is no entrance fee to visit Drum Tower Commercial Street. Costs apply only for shopping, dining, and attractions nearby.
No advance booking is necessary for the street. However, if you plan to visit specific attractions or events, it’s best to check for availability online.
It takes about 1 to 2 hours to stroll through the Drum Tower Commercial Street, depending on whether you plan to shop or visit specific sites along the way.
Guided tours are not commonly offered on the street itself, but local attractions such as the Drum Tower may offer audio guides in Chinese and English.
The Drum Tower offers the best viewpoint for photos, with its ancient architecture standing tall amidst the commercial street. The surrounding markets and streets also make for vibrant street photography.
Start by exploring the Drum Tower, then stroll down the commercial street for shopping and food. Finish your visit with a stop at a local teahouse or café to relax and enjoy the ambiance.
The area is well-lit and lively in the evenings, with many shops staying open late. Special night-time events or light shows are not common, but the street has a vibrant atmosphere at night, especially on weekends.
The Drum Tower Commercial Street can get crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. For a quieter experience, visit on weekdays, particularly in the morning or early afternoon.
The area is well-equipped with public restrooms, cafes, shops, and food stalls. Many restaurants and eateries line the street offering both traditional and international cuisine.
The street and Drum Tower are accessible to elderly visitors and families with children. However, some areas may be crowded, making it challenging for those with mobility impairments.
Most shops and restaurants in the area accept mobile payments like WeChat Pay and Alipay, as well as credit cards. It’s still a good idea to carry some cash for smaller purchases.
There are vegetarian and vegan options available at most restaurants. Halal food can also be found in specific eateries catering to Muslim visitors.
Yes, there are souvenir shops selling traditional Chinese items like silk, tea, and handcrafted goods. You can also find Tianjin-specific products like Goubuli buns and local artwork.
After visiting, you can take a taxi, metro, or bus to nearby attractions like the Tianjin Eye or Ancient Culture Street. The metro and public buses offer convenient connections to other parts of the city.
