Against the backdrop of integrating culture, business, tourism and sports in a bid to boost consumption, Tianjin, a northern port city in China, is set to accelerate its transformation over the next five years into a distinctive cultural tourism destination and an international consumption hub, officials said.
City view of Tianjin. (Photo: VCG)
"In recent years, especially after hosting the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Tianjin Summit last year, Tianjin has seen a continuous rise in tourism popularity and visitor satisfaction," said Li Wenhai, vice-mayor of Tianjin, during a news conference on Monday, pledging to convert the city's reputation for visitor satisfaction into sustainable consumption growth.
In 2025, Tianjin hosted 272 million domestic tourists, a year-on-year increase of 4.2 percent. Tourism expenditures reached 320 billion yuan ($46.9 billion), reflecting a 9.9 percent increase from the previous year.
On April 19, at the 2026 China Tourism Science Annual Conference, Tianjin was named one of the "Top 10 Cities for Tourist Satisfaction in China".
"We will continue to expand the Haihe River night cultural tourism brand, accelerate the enhancement of key projects such as Jinwan Plaza, and turn the Haihe River cultural tourism belt into a world-class, vibrant waterfront corridor," Li said.
As a national heritage demonstration project, Quanyechang market is undergoing protective renovations and upgrades and is set to reopen by the end of this year.
"We are introducing youth-oriented new experiences such as virtual reality and robotics while integrating the building's revitalization with surrounding streets," said Chen Kai, a local official overseeing the Quanyechang subdistrict in Heping district.
This year, further developments will incorporate the gaming industry, including trendy elements like early 20th-century-themed cosplay attractions.
In the Hebei district, the Italian Style Town has been meticulously restored and transformed into an arts hub. It now hosts exhibitions, theatrical performances and cultural cafes, creating spaces for leisure and creativity.
Later this year, Patina Hotel, opened by the Capella Hotel Group in partnership with the Tianjin Hebei Industrial Development Group, will make its debut in the district.
The hotel, housed within 17 historic villas, will feature 143 rooms and include a variety of offerings such as dining, art, music and wellness amenities, creating a livable historic neighborhood.
"Our goal is to revitalize industries while preserving heritage," said Zhao Qianqian, deputy director of the Italian Style Town administration.
"To date, we've hosted concerts, exhibitions like the graduation season carnival, and R&B and jazz events, all of which have been a hit with young people," she added.
Li stressed the importance of innovating integration models to further blend industries. He emphasized fostering "ticket economies" and "emotional economies" through seamless coordination of performances, sports events, exhibitions and cultural commerce to amplify the multiplier effect of integrated consumption.
According to the Tianjin Municipal Commerce Bureau, more than 15 artists, including Jolin Tsai, G. E. M. and Stefanie Sun, have announced concert tours in Tianjin this year.
The city has also become a growing hot spot for marathons. In April alone, four large-scale half marathons attracted more than 31,000 participants.
Data from the commerce bureau shows that more than 4,000 cultural consumption events took place last year during themed festivals like the Haihe International Consumption Season.
The city also launched over 40 iconic destinations, including the sightseeing hall at "The Eye of Tianjin" and the reopening of the Da Ren Tang time-honored brand museum.
"Tianjin's approach is replicable," said Zhou Changlin, Party secretary and chairman of the Tianjin Urban Planning and Design Institute. "This demonstrates how cultural heritage, when properly managed, can serve as a powerful engine for a city's high-quality development."
"Being listed among the Top 10 Cities for Tourist Satisfaction in China is both an honor and a motivation for us," Li said. "Tianjin will focus even more on meeting the high-quality service demands of both residents and tourists, enhancing comprehensive support services, and fostering a premium consumption environment where locals and visitors alike can enjoy their time."