Recently, a friend back home asked what I did for fun around here. Well, I teach preschool aged-preteen students English five days a week, and that’s pretty entertaining. But as much as I enjoy teaching, I am only human. I look forward to days where I can just rest my voice from speaking so much. I get two days off a week, and while my days aren’t always consecutive, I still make it work.
I gave myself the personal goal to either visit a new site or two in Tianjin on my days off or try a new street food or new restaurant… aka be a tourist. In an effort to save money, I’ve mostly been checking out the local sites, as a majority of them are free and with my poor sense of direction, can easily kill a few hours in a day. A few of my favorite places I’ve visited have been the Buddhist Temple of Great Compassion, Cheer Market at Joy City, and Da Hutong in Downtown Tianjin.
I’ve visited quite a few temples since I’ve been in China. After awhile, they all start to look very similar (much like how in Europe, when you visit basilica after basilica, it ends up being a blur). So, I might be a little biased because this temple is quite near to where I live, but I highly recommend a visit to it. Admission is 5¥ (less than a dollar), and you receive a few sticks of incense to burn in offering as well. While every temple I’ve previously visited had been flocked with tourists (i.e. temples in Beijing my first week in China, and Guangzhou and Foshan during Golden Week), this one was mostly filled with worshippers. I use the term “filled” loosely, as the temple grounds are the largest in Tianjin, and so I felt, for the first time in forever, that I wasn’t in the most populated country in the world.
I visited the temple a little past nine am on a Wednesday. It may have been coincidence, or maybe mid-week mornings really are a less popular visiting hour, but whatever the case, I’m really glad I made the decision to go when I did. The grounds were incredibly peaceful, and while the architecture wasn’t something I hadn’t seen before, I admired how clean the temples and yards were, and I loved how many areas of open space were available for one to just perch and people watch. You’d be surprised at how sparse benches are to come by in China, unless you’re in a park of sorts. Next time, I plan on visiting during lunch-time, as their restaurant is the only monastery in Tianjin that serves vegetarian food. I will also be sure to bring a book with me, as I foresee myself enjoying many days off reading in one of their courtyards. 
The malls in China are impeccable. I have yet to enter a mall that hasn’t been incredibly clean, contemporary, large enough to play a decent game of hide and seek in, and full of brands with plenty of nice items, that are sadly too pricey by the standards of your favorite friendly neighborhood thrifter. Joy City in Tianjin is one of these malls. It took me three separate visits to cover it from end to end (at least I think I’ve covered the whole mall!)
Similar to how the temples in China have been a blur, visiting a mall in China can be a dizzying, overstimulating experience, especially if you go on a weekend or during a holiday. I appreciate that the malls here, similar to malls at home, serve cuisine from all over the world. I know that whatever craving I have, I can satisfy it by going to the mall. Just as diverse are their shops and the fashion they house. Not to mention that almost every mall I’ve visited has had some sort of arcade, playground, or full scale ice skating rink within it. What sets Joy City apart though, is a magical place called “Cheer Market.”
If I could describe Cheer Market in three words, they would be: inventive, youthful, and energetic. A space on the fifth floor of Joy City has turned into a haven for creatives. The set-up is meant to replicate that of a pedestrian street, but instead of knock-offs and questionable street eats, this market is filled with vendors who are selling original handmade goods, organic eats, and their skills with accessible workshops to the masses. I felt like I was transplanted to the Chelsea Market in New York, which if you’ve ever been… you know that it’s always difficult to leave because there’s always something new to see.
All of the interior decor and design featured through the market, specific to each vendor and their style, was very pleasing to my eyes and gave me such a happy heart. A favorite area of mine was on the second floor, where a gallery was located. The “Public Art Space” was beautiful. I made sure to leave my mark. Also on the second floor was a contemporary installation piece which the public could engage in as well. Not having seen much contemporary art since I arrived (and being a “fan” quite the understatement), I left Cheer Market after my first visit, well, cheerful, and very joyful that I could get my art fix on at Joy City.
Now, imagine that you need to do grocery shopping, pick up some new kitchen utensils, buy a birthday card for a friend, plan a dinner party, and possibly purchase a new outfit for said dinner party. Back home, that would require a trip to multiple shops/destinations (or maybe just Target, ^_^). It would take an entire day of running errands to gather all the supplies on my list. But in Tianjin, I am very fortunate to live two blocks from the mecca of all things imaginable.
Shopping central is located by way of Guyi Street and it’s surrounding area, recognized as 大胡同 or “Dà Hútòng” in Chinese pidgin English. It roughly means “big alleyway,” although “big” would be an understatement. It’s an actual maze, this place. I’ve been there close to a dozen times, and I still don’t think I’ve seen everything that this area has to offer. This super duper market is actually comprised of several streets and alleyways, indoor malls, food vendors galore, a post office, a few restaurants, and banks. Basically, it is it’s own little city. Everything on your grocery list and otherwise can be found here, and every price is negotiable (if you’re good at that sort of thing).
Da Hutong lives up to my expectations of a traditional Chinese market. There’s lots to look at, and it’s where all the locals shop for deals. It’s a cacophony of people bargaining, vendors hawking their wares, scooters and bicycles going up and down the alleys and sidewalks, and pans sizzling with street food. You can easily spend an entire day wandering through this massive shopping center, and there are different areas that are supposed to be designated for certain goods according to signs throughout, but a little bit of everything seems to be sold and scattered throughout. 
I find that the best way to experience and take in a place is to just walk around. I’m only in China for a few months, and I want to take advantage of the time I have here, but you don’t and shouldn’t have to necessarily be in a new place to feel motivated to get up and at ’em. You could be in your hometown, a place you’ve lived for a few weeks, months, maybe even years. Go check out that restaurant you keep saying you’ve been meaning to try! Or finally visit that shop with the neat window display that always catches your attention!
It helps having a destination or two in mind of sights you want to see (and a map), but they’re not always necessary. I find walking around, especially on my days off where I have no obligations to fulfill, greatly entertaining and relaxing. It’s especially fun in Tianjin, where I don’t know my Mandarin characters, and so stepping into a new shop, and just the entire supermarket experience always involves some surprises. There’s a lot to be discovered still in Tianjin, and I find it so convenient, and completely adore that my three featured Tianjin to-dos are walking distance from my apartment, and that anything further away, I can just hop on the subway for. I’m not sure where I’ll live whenever it’s time for me to establish some sort of permanent residence, but if there’s one thing I know, it’s that I would be happiest in a walkable city or town. Yes, please.
Take a walk on your next day off, for no reason. Where’d you end up?
What are some of your favorite places where you live? Let’s share stories, friends. Feel free to send me a message/comment.
Love from Tianjin ♥
JACKIEXPLORES 