Tianjin Eye and Haihe River, 2017. [Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn]

A few minutes' walk from my hotel rose a 120 metre high 'Tianjin Eye', the Yongle Bridge Ferris Wheel. In contrast the Dabei Monastery, dating from the Ming Dynasty, provided as always a peaceful retreat from the modern world, although the view has somewhat changed from earlier days when no high-rise buildings rose above its tile-topped walls. Near the canal/river junction restored the Gulou Bell Tower and its surrounding pedestrianized streets modeled on Qing Dynasty style are reminders that Tianjin historically was a compact, walled city guarding a strategic corridor between the sea and Beijing. Bordering the Haihe, an 'Ancient Cultural Street' (Guwenhua Jie) centres on the Niangniang Palace, dating from 1326, honoring sea-goddess Mazu in the hope for safe navigation.