Live Your Best Lives
Explore the historic streets, visit traditional architecture, enjoy local street food, and shop for handmade crafts. Take a walk through the old town’s charming alleys to experience the culture and history of Tianjin.
Located within the Tianjin Old City Museum, the Old City Xiaoliyuan Teahouse boasts a century of history and is the only well-preserved example of a traditional courtyard house in Tianjin. The unique teahouse, covering 200 square meters and accommodating over 100 people at a time, features elegant interior décor that highlights the character and style of traditional residences.
Laocheng Xiaoliyuan is a teahouse that integrates a teahouse with a crosstalk performance team, creating its own unique crosstalk teahouse. The crosstalk performers, nearly all of them males born in the 1980s, are composed of over 20 people. Internet slang, buzzwords, and news events are skillfully interwoven into traditional crosstalk, creating a strong sense of the times and a sense of comedy. The company strives to cultivate a humorous art form through crosstalk, comedy, and make-up dramas, showcasing a diverse range of humorous interpretations.
Here, there is no distinction between actors in terms of age, gender, or status, only endless nicknames, such as "Little Giant", "Big White Bun", "Brother Zeng", "Princess", "Pot-Cover Head", "Little Satisfaction", "Third Uncle", etc. They are a group of young crosstalk actors born in the 1980s. They have a strong sense of the times and can better cater to the tastes of today's young people who go to teahouses to listen to crosstalk. There are also regular special guest performances by stand-up masters, storytelling masters, and "Tianjin's 6-Year-Old Little Spirit Boy", which seems to let the audience enter the "no man's land" era atmosphere of old Tianjin.
Warm temperate semi-humid continental monsoon climate; although the theater in the old city's Xiaoliyuan is not big, the traditional stage and the eight-immortal table seating create a very lively atmosphere. The actors perform on the stage and the audience listens to the crosstalk below. The atmosphere is lively and suitable for travel in all seasons.
It is recommended to play for 2-3 hours
60 yuan/person
Monday (one match) 19:30-22:00;
Tuesday-Friday (two sessions per day) 14:30-17:00, 19:30-22:00;
Saturday and Sunday (three shows per day): 13:00-15:30, 16:00-18:30, and 19:30-22:00. Performances may be increased during national holidays; please call for details.
Old Town Xiaoliyuan is a preserved historical area that showcases the traditional architecture and lifestyle of old Tianjin. It is significant for its role in maintaining the local culture and offering a glimpse into the city's past.
Located in the heart of Tianjin, it is accessible by metro (from the Tianjin Metro Line 1), bus, or taxi. The closest metro station is Xiaobailou Station.
The area is open all day. The best time to visit is in the morning or early evening when the weather is cooler and the streets are less crowded.
There is no entrance fee to access the old town area. Visitors can explore freely; however, some specific attractions or museums in the area may charge a fee.
No advance booking is needed to visit the Old Town Xiaoliyuan. You can explore at your convenience.
It takes around 2-3 hours to explore the main areas of Old Town Xiaoliyuan, including browsing the shops and enjoying the food stalls.
Key highlights include the traditional architecture, local street markets, and cultural heritage sites like the ancient temples and old residences.
Guided tours are available in Mandarin. English-speaking tours may be available on request, but it's best to confirm in advance.
The best photography spots are along the narrow lanes with traditional buildings, as well as the old-style courtyards. The streets lined with lanterns are also great for capturing the charm of the area.
Start by exploring the main street, then wander into the narrow alleys to discover hidden gems such as local shops and street food stalls. Finish with a visit to one of the historic temples.
Night visits are possible, and the area is beautifully lit up in the evening. There are no specific light shows or special tours available, but the evening atmosphere adds to the charm.
It can get crowded on weekends and holidays. Weekdays, especially early mornings or late afternoons, are the least crowded times to visit.
The area has public toilets, numerous food stalls offering local snacks, and shops selling souvenirs and local crafts.
The area is largely pedestrian, but some of the cobbled streets and narrow alleys may be challenging for elderly or disabled visitors. It is more accessible for children.
Both cash and mobile payments (Alipay, WeChat Pay) are accepted. Many shops do not accept international credit cards, so it’s recommended to use mobile payments or cash.
There are various local food stalls selling traditional Tianjin snacks, and several tea houses and small cafes in the vicinity offering local and international options.
Vegetarian and halal food options are available at some of the food stalls and restaurants in the area.
There are several hotels around the area, including mid-range hotels and boutique guesthouses, offering a variety of options for visitors.
Nearby attractions include the Tianjin Eye, Ancient Culture Street, and Italian Style Town. These can all be easily combined into a day trip.
Yes, there are souvenir shops selling traditional crafts, local artworks, and Tianjin-themed items like handmade paper-cuttings and embroidery.
The best transportation options include taxis, buses, or the metro. The Tianjin Metro Line 1 is a convenient choice for traveling to other parts of the city.
