Openness and vitality: British photographer experiences Tianjin’s great changes

Bruce Connolly, a photographer from Scotland, first crossed paths with Tianjin in 1996. At that time, the Binhai New Area was only beginning to take shape, and the city had yet to reveal much of its modern skyline. What truly impressed him, however, came around the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

With the launch of the Beijing–Tianjin high-speed railway, Connolly boarded the sleek train for the first time and, in just half an hour, traveled from Beijing to Tianjin.

He savored authentic local food and witnessed urban development accelerated by modern transport.

Since then, Connolly has personally observed Tianjin’s steady transformation — the Haihe River, once a bustling industrial waterway, has become a scenic riverside promenade glowing with lights. People stroll, swim, and play music along its banks, bringing an air of openness and vitality to the city.

Walking through the streets, Connolly has found orderly urban design alongside the endless charm of Tianjin’s historic neighborhoods.

For him, Tianjin has grown from a once unfamiliar corner into a city that is both modern and culturally rich—A city he now calls truly “cool.”