Anecdotes of Tianjin

Name: Anecdotes of Tianjin
ISBN: 9787520538411

周利成China Culture and History Press · ChinaOct 2024

3.8

Word count: 94K words
Chapters: 96
ISBN: 9787520538411

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Summary

The book Jinmen Zhanggu collects 90 articles and more than 200 rare historical photographs. Through stories of more than 80 place names—including Tianjin Wei, Zizhulin, Shuixizhuang, and Guanyinhao—it recounts Tianjin's historical changes, the origins of its place names, surviving historic sites, former residences of notable figures, and historical tales, reflecting the rule of the old Tianjin regime, the rise and fall of its economy, the city's evolution, and the joys and sorrows of ordinary people. From "The Origin of Tianjin," "Changes in the Southwest Corner," and "Xiaowangzhuang Past and Present," readers can learn about Tianjin's historical development; from "The Three Treasures of Tianjin Wei," "The Legend of Guajia Temple," and "A Historical Account of Shuixizhuang," they can discover Tianjin's scenic and historic sites; and from "Recalling the Bustle of Zhugan Lane," "The Extravagant Houjiahou," and "The Rise and Fall of Daluotian," they can glimpse the city's former prosperity. Reading this book is like being led by the author through Tianjin's streets and alleys on a tour of discovery.

Editor's review

Through 90 articles and more than 200 historical photographs, Jinmen Zhanggu traces the origins and evolution of over 80 place names in Tianjin Wei. From the origin of Tianjin and the changes in the Southwest Corner to the Three Treasures of Tianjin Wei, the legend of Guajia Temple, and the history of Shuixizhuang, and on to the former bustle of Zhugan Lane, Houjiahou, and Daluotian, the author weaves together stories of place names, surviving historic sites, former residences of notable figures, and the joys and sorrows of everyday life, making readers feel as though they are wandering the streets and alleys with a guide. The book reflects the rule of the old Tianjin regime, the rise and fall of its economy, and the city's evolution, while preserving a wealth of vivid folk memory. Written in plain language and supported by both text and images, it serves well as an introductory reader for understanding Tianjin's urban history, and also suits longtime Tianjin residents who wish to retrace familiar places and revisit the past. Readers may find it helpful to group the chapters by district or theme and compare them with maps and old photographs to better appreciate the layers of time and space behind each place name.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Local readers interested in Tianjin's urban history and the origins of its place names
Readers of history and culture who enjoy anecdotes, local stories, and old photographs
Travelers planning a walk through Tianjin who wish to explore with the book as a guide
Professionals engaged in popularizing local culture and preserving urban memory

Not a good fit for

Research-oriented readers seeking rigorous scholarly verification and a full annotation system
Readers expecting a systematic general history rather than fragmented anecdotes
Readers with little interest in place names, historic sites, or local lore

Reading tips

Begin with the chapters on the origin of Tianjin and its historical development to establish a chronological and spatial framework.
Read in groups by district, marking the place names mentioned in the text on a Tianjin map to build a spatial impression.
Compare the historical photographs in the book while reading, noting how the same places have changed over time.
Carry the book while walking through the city and visit the sites described in each chapter to deepen understanding.

About the publisher

China Culture and History Press China · Founded in 1980

China Culture and History Press has long devoted itself to modern and contemporary literature and culture-and-history reading matter, with publishing directions centered on classic works, social novels, prose and miscellaneous writings, and Eastern philosophy, alongside culture-and-history periodicals such as Zongheng. Among the more than 1,500 titles in the collection, representative books include Zhang Henshui's Ti Xiao Yin Yuan, Lu Xun's Complete Classic Works (10 volumes) and Wild Grass, and Lao She's Four Generations Under One Roof series and the boxed set of Lao She's Classic Works (10 volumes), while its author resources are concentrated on figures such as Zhang Henshui, Lu Xun, Lao She and Sima Qian. Its publishing character lies in solid editorial work on culture-and-history source texts and in issuing famous authors' works in sets, balancing the readability of individual texts with the systematic presentation of complete collections for focused reading and collecting. Beyond these directions, public information on the press's contemporary original publishing is limited, so it is not elaborated here.

版权信息
作者简介
序
历史沿革
天津的由来
燕王扫北与天津建卫
天津城厢的来历
天津城厢四条街
天津的摇篮——三岔河口
天津的母亲河——海河
南运河两次筑堤
天津卫三宗宝
八国联军拆城墙
古老的府署街
官银号史话
锦衣卫与锦衣卫桥
南开的由来
北洋军阀的发源地小站
东方华尔街——解放路
金钢桥鱼市的变迁
老天津的村、里与别墅
天津“八大家”都是谁
镇署衙门史话
早年的鬼市
早年的鸟市
从“老龙头”至天津站
津门大赌窟——回力球场
天津县卫南洼“闹小水”
长芦缉私机构的变迁
地名文化
600余年的席厂村
盛极一时的海光寺
北大关忆旧
估衣街谈往
话说电灯房胡同
两个冰窖胡同
没有楼的西楼村
百年沧桑李公楼
百年金街和平路
鲍公祠辨析
北洋新政与铁工厂胡同
滨江道忆旧
陈家沟子的鱼锅伙
大胡同忆旧
大经路上故事多
堤头的由来
东局子沧桑
话说佟楼
今昔桃花堤
今昔小王庄
金钟河里有金钟
马场道与赛马场
墙子与墙子河
三条石寻踪
王串场小志
历史悠久的仓廒街
西南角的变迁
昔日的谦德庄
消失的黄家花园
消失的永丰屯
小白楼寻源
小关与小关大街
掩骨会的由来
郑庄子与郑和尚
纸醉金迷的侯家后
竹竿巷忆盛
民间传说
慈禧与北站
乾隆赐名“兴隆街”
挂甲寺的传说
话说费宫人故里
归贾胡同传说
金家窑传说
陈塘庄传说
赤龙河的传说
黑牛城的故事
邵公庄传说
白庙村的故事
天后宫里的娘娘
风貌建筑
水西庄史话
紫竹林究竟在哪里
曹家花园春秋
萧振瀛改建第一公园
大罗天兴衰
戈登与戈登堂
古文化街忆旧
南市与“三不管”
消失的张园
静园与末代皇帝溥仪
文庙今昔
话说劝业场
马连良与疙瘩楼
德璀琳大院始末
老天津的桥
后记

FAQ

How is this book different from an ordinary Tianjin travel guide?

It is not a route guide. Instead, using more than 80 place names as threads, it tells of historical changes, the origins of place names, surviving historic sites, former residences of notable figures, and local stories, and it includes more than 200 historical photographs. Its focus is on urban memory and local lore, not on practical information about food, lodging, transport, and sightseeing.

Can the articles in the book be read out of order?

Yes. The 90 articles are each self-contained and arranged by place name or theme, so readers can choose according to interest. To gain an overall impression, it is advisable to read the chapters on historical development first and then expand by district.

What special value does it have for longtime Tianjin residents?

The book covers once-bustling areas such as Houjiahou, Daluotian, and Zhugan Lane and contains a wealth of everyday memories. Longtime Tianjin residents can use it to revisit familiar places and events, seek out place names and scenes they know, and rekindle an emotional connection between themselves and the city.

Are the images historical photographs or illustrative diagrams?

According to the available information, the book includes more than 200 rare historical photographs that accompany the text on place names, historic sites, former residences of notable figures, and related subjects. They are historical visual materials, not hand-drawn diagrams.

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About the author

周利成 Author

Zhou Licheng is a writer focused on modern urban culture and social life. Public information about him is limited, and his nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not clearly recorded. Judging from the eight works held in the library, his writing centers on old pictorial magazines and life in old cities. His representative works include Old Pictorials of Tianjin, Old Pictorials of Shanghai, and Old Pictorials of Beijing, as well as Portraits from Old Pictorials and Fashions from Old Pictorials. He is also the author of Old Tianjin Opera Houses, Anecdotes of Tianjin, and Fragrant Ink: Archives of Modern Tianjin Celebrities. Drawing on modern pictorials, archives, and local documents, these books use images and textual sources to reconstruct everyday life, opera and entertainment, and the stories of notable figures in Beijing, Tianjin, and Shanghai, spanning social culture, film and television, and biography. His approach combines archival research with accessible narration, offering general readers a vivid and direct introduction to modern urban culture.