As global leaders converge in Tianjin for the 2025 Summer Davos, the city's Ancient Cultural Street offers a living bridge between China's imperial past and its innovative future. The 687-meter thoroughfare, adorned with Qing Dynasty-style architecture, buzzes with activity as delegates explore tea houses, silk shops, and artisan stalls between forum sessions.
At the street's heart stands Tianhou Temple – a 14th-century maritime tribute to goddess Mazu that once comforted sailors braving the Bohai Sea. Today, its crimson pillars and curling eaves provide a serene counterpoint to discussions about artificial intelligence and green energy happening just blocks away.
The World Economic Forum's 'Entrepreneurship for a New Era' theme finds unexpected resonance in the quarter's timeworn cobblestones. Local craftspeople demonstrate centuries-old techniques while forum participants debate sustainable business models, creating a tapestry of tradition meeting transformation.
This cultural showcase comes as Tianjin solidifies its role in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic corridor. The simultaneous hosting of ancient heritage and cutting-edge dialogue underscores China's balancing act between preserving identity and pursuing technological leadership.
