Tianjin's Wudadao (Wǔ Dàdào, 五大道) or "Five Avenues", refers to a rectangle of five roads spanning a total of 1.28 square kilometers (0.48 square miles) in the southern reaches of the city, containing numerous historical buildings dating back to the city's bustling heyday as a treaty port.

The earliest and largest coastal city in north China, early 20th century Tianjin's economy was booming and foreign concessions proliferated. In 1901 the Wudadao area was handed over to the British as little more than waterlogged marshland, but from 1919-1926 they dredged the river and reclaimed the land for what would become one of Tianjin's most desirable neighborhoods, stretching across the five main avenues of Machang Avenue (Mǎchǎng Dào, 马场道), Munan Avenue (Mùnán Dào, 睦南道), Dali Avenue (Dàlǐ Dào, 大理道), Chengdu Avenue (Chéngdū Dào 成都道) and Chongqing Avenue (Chóngqìng Dào 重庆道).

Following the "Garden City" philosophy popular at that time in England—planned, self-contained communities surrounded by green parks combining residences, agriculture and industry—the streets of Wudadao are wide and lined with a medley of western-style garden villas, banks, schools, churches, hospitals and shops. It was a wealthy community that drew from the highest echelons of society (both Chinese and foreign) with residents including two presidents of the Republic of China, seven prime ministers, high ranking government and military officials and a gaggle of celebrities, actors and actresses.

Today, many of the buildings house museums such as the Tianjin Museum of Modern History (Tiānjīn Jìndài Shǐbówùguǎn, 天津近代史博物馆), a private collection of Concession-era memorabilia, or pay homage to their once-famous occupants. Horse-drawn carriage is a popular way to explore the area but a stroll along any street will bring you face-to-face with imposing British facades, elegant French villas, Chinese courtyard houses, German-style townhouses and Italian and Spanish flourishes and a few examples combining Western and Chinese styles that overall give a great sense of the meeting of cultures that occurred during Tianjin's boom years.

Tianjin guide | Tianjin attractions | Tianjin flights | Tianjin hotels
Tianjin tours & activities | Tianjin on the China Travel Blog