The northern Chinese port city of Tianjin has transformed historic industrial spaces into must-visit cultural destinations as it prepares to host the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO) summit.
Scheduled for August 31 to September 1, the SCO Summit will take place in Tianjin, bringing together leaders from over 20 countries and representatives from ten international organizations for a series of high-level events.
As Tianjin prepares to welcome guests from around the world, a major renewal initiative has been breathing new life into some of the city's historic architecture. This has helped revitalize 41 urban regeneration projects, including former factories which have been repurposed into vibrant artistic hubs.
One standout is Tangyuan Compound, a traditional Chinese structure nestled among vintage garden buildings that has been transformed into a commercial complex featuring dining, entertainment and art exhibitions, all while preserving its original architectural charm.
"The preserved historical buildings maintain their authentic character while making our city more vibrant," said a local resident during a visit to the renovated site.
Cultural exchanges are also flourishing among SCO member countries ahead of the summit. The Tianjin Museum, which was founded in 1918 and is one of the oldest museums in China, is preparing to send a series of carefully-selected artifacts of great historic significance to Kazakhstan, where they will be exhibited for the first time.
"Each artifact was meticulously selected through careful deliberation. For instance, the ancient inscriptions on oracle bones we chose carry the earliest memories of Chinese civilization. Additionally, pieces like porcelain, jade ware, bamboo carvings, and silk embroidery in our exhibition demonstrate the aesthetic pursuits of ancient China," said Qiao Yue, curator of the Tianjin Museum.
Meanwhile, a number of national treasures from Kazakhstan are also being showcased in Tianjin through a joint exhibition featuring nearly 200 historical artifacts, many of which have left their home country for the first time. The display includes the legendary "Golden Warrior," a centerpiece from Kazakhstan's national collection, which features an impressive gold-plated suit of armor which is thought to date back well over 2,000 years.
The reciprocal cultural presentations signal strengthened museum cooperation among SCO members, with Tianjin's urban transformation providing both the setting and symbolism for deeper international connections through heritage sharing and architectural rejuvenation.
The SCO, established in 2001 in Shanghai by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, has expanded from a regional organization into a trans-regional organization with 10 full members, two observer countries, and 14 dialogue partners, covering over 60 percent of the Eurasian landmass and nearly half of the world's population.
Renovation projects in Tianjin blend heritage with modernity ahead of SCO Summit
Renovation projects in Tianjin blend heritage with modernity ahead of SCO Summit
