notice that the smog was back. China has undertaken a massive planting
project, there are new trees, shrubs and flowers going up all over the place
- I think that along with other clean air initiatives - this will help clean
up the air pollution. If one comes back in 5-10 years, as the foliage starts
to mature, the area will be unrecognizable.
Driving into Tianjin today there was a procession of identical red BMWs -
evidently these were filled with members of a wedding party following a
black Mercedes with the bridal couple. Leading the procession was a vehicle
with the hatch opened up to record/film the event.
First stop today was to the Shi Family Mansion built in 1875 and the estate
of one of Tianjin's eight grand families. It was over 60,000 square feet,
had twelve courtyards, 278 rooms, and even had its' own theater - the
original TV room. It was here that I learned that the more steps one had to
climb to the entrance of ones' home, the higher in status they were.
Headed over to the Tianjin Museum with its large collection of arts, crafts
and history of China. This is one of several exhibition halls and museums,
all located in a park around a lake. It would have been easy to spend the
whole day here, and a week visiting the complex.
Today's temple was The Confucius Temple, the third largest in China, built
in 1436. It is considered to be the best preserved ancient construction in
downtown Tianjin. This temple is consecrated to offer sacrifices to the
memory of Confucius.
Ended the stay in Tianjin with one last visit to the Culture Street to do a
little shopping. Being Saturday, like everywhere else in the city, the
crowds were 3-4 times larger than yesterday. On Monday through Friday, 20%
of the cars are not allowed on the roads, depending on the last number of
your license plate; but on the weekends, there are no restrictions and I
think every car was on the road.
Watched as the ship sailed out of the harbor and into the China Sea and
waved goodbye to China.
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