Writes of Passage

162 Machangdao 马场道
Tianjin

Will return.

A lovely fusion restaurant in the Wudadao. I like their young Peking Duck very much – small and tender. Other dishes are delicious and nicely presented. It

33 Taier Zhuang Road
Heping District, Tianjin 300040,

167 Dagubei Road
Heping District, Tianjin, 300040

It is on the site of Gordon Hall, across the street (解放 Jiefang N Road) from Astor Hotel and one block north from Kailuan. The main entrance is face the Jiefang Garden North 解放北园, a tiny green patch with a Chinese gazebo. There is rich history to this location and the hotel offers a short tour at 6 pm.

1976 Tangshan earthquake had damaged the building. They rebuilt and used as municipal government till 2010. Ritz began in 2013

The columns at their 2-level Chinese restaurant are salvaged from the American garrison, treated and preserved. Nice touch.

Abundant of paintings are hung throughout the public area. The stairs in the lobby somehow, remind me of Gone with the Wind, where Gable noticed his girl.

Gordon Hall during the Great Flood of 1939, photo courtesy of the Tim Brig Collection @ China marine. This one is from Xu Streeet @ wiki.

During my 2018 trip to Tianjin, I passed by this school 天津二十中学 and sneaked in a few photos. Not completely surprise to me, the old guy who manned the gate house by the entrance, said no to our request to going in to take a few photos.

No.18 Hejia Lane, Ruyi’an Street,
Hongqiao District, Tianjin

LuzuTang Museum, or the Boxer Museum.

The small courtyard was built in 1433. During the Boxer Uprising (some call it rebellion) in 1900, Cao Futian 曹福田 (the leader of Qian fraction 乾字团首领) set his quarter here. The gov renovated it in 1985 and set it up as a memorial – it’s the only 义和团坛口 relic of Boxers in the country.

The simple exhibits are mostly photos, and some of their claims I’ll have to disagree. The language and the mindset is pre-loving-the-west.

O’Hara’s @ the Astor inTianjin China.

The dark panelling makes the place feel good. It’s later afternoon on a Saturday. We’re the second table in the empty bar. Relaxing and unhurried.

The food and drink are ok but the huge utensils are for dinner. I asked for the proper ones …

Tai’an Dao 泰安道
Tianjin, China

The former Kailuan Mining Administration was housed in this building. I visited it every time I’m in TJ. This year, I see many newly weds or about to wed take their photos there – very crowded. It’s a stone throw away from Astor and Ritz.

It shares Dagubei Road with Ritz-Carlton and Tai’an with Astor. 

With home grow chives!

5 Niu Jie 牛街清真超市 美食城
Beijing

I’ve been here a few times. There are many individual vendors on the street level and supermarket in the basement, plus a bakery.