Snapshots of our life in Tianjin, China and travel within the region.
Just to the west of Tianjin’s famous pedestrian shopping street of Binjiang Dao, lies Tianjin’s Antique Market (called “Guwan Shichang”). While the traditionally-styled wooden shops and street-side stands that make up the antique market are often identified as beginning at the cross roads of Shandong Lu (“Lu” means street) and Shanyang Dao (“Dao” means road), it…
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When all you have is a bicycle, getting those few western groceries in China can be a challenge. Especially if you have unfortunate predilections towards real coffee that isn’t instant, Splenda and non-melamine milk. Some stores deliver of course, such as D-Mart or the Good Friends Store, but to see what is actually in stock,…
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It isn’t really the sort of thing one expects to see in a sprawling, congested city just south of Beijing, China: a pocket of (albeit slightly confused) western Europe, complete with cobblestone streets, kegs of dark beer, Roman fountains and alfresco dining — with red checkered table cloths of course!
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China deserves an entire feature on the unique edible flora found in these realms. Fruit that comes straight from science-fiction, veggies that look completely contrived and flowers that, while ornamental back home, prove unexpected sources of nutrition here. I’ll use this page from time to time to feature some of the unique produce found here.
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So, we finally did it, the Grand Poobah of many What-To-See-In-China lists: The Great Wall! That serpentine wonder whose image graces practically every Chinese restaurant. That misty, sprawling feat of human endeavor recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. That singular, man-made structure that is so magnificent in size and scope…
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Tianjin may have a population of 13.5 million … MILLION! … but it hasn’t lost it’s old-school charm. I have been told that, prior to 2000, only the very wealthy or very politically connected drove cars. In a little over ten years’ time, this city has gone from a pedestrian-and-bicycling population to a massively automobile-congested metropolis….
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Apartment hunting in China can be an intimidating business if you’re doing it without the help of your employer. Especially if you’ve just moved here with limited language skills. From what I’ve heard, cities like Beijing and Shanghai are more accommodating for non-Mandarin speakers, but Tianjin retains its local vibe … in language and in…
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What’s Jiaozi? Jiaozi (pronounced “Jow-ze” with the “Jow” rhyming with “ow”), are stuffed, boiled dumplings and are favorite edible in northern China. Fancy restaurants here in Tianjin often feature pages of Jiaozi varieties, ranging from mushroom and chives to sea bass to minced pork. And as for grocery stores? You’d be hard pressed to find one here…
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In this episode of culture shock in China via silly-expat-speaking Mandarin gone awry, the fresh markets of Tianjin set the stage. I love the fresh markets in Tianjin, actually. I never thought I’d find a place to rival what Tonga’s Meketi Talamahu had to offer, but I’ve got to say, the fresh markets (also called “wet markets”)…
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Tianjin is famous for its street food (otherwise referred to as “specialty snacks.” Of particular popularity are edibles such as steamed buns (steamed yeast-based dough filled with minced meat and/or veggies — delicious!), fried dough twists called Ma Hua (lightly spiced hunks of dough that are twisted and then deep fried — confusing), fried “ear…
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