Tianjin Binhai New Area is a well-developed and modern district that stands at the forefront of Tianjin's economic development. Compared to the downtown area, the Binhai New Area is less populated, more spacious and quieter. This is not easily explained as it hosts the area's major ports and many factories of world famous companies. So, for the residents who live there, life may not be as convenient or exciting as it can be downtown, however, the situation is changing. A part of this change is the new cultural facility that has just begun operation and will definitely enrich the area's cultural life.

The Binhai New Area Cultural Center is a comprehensive facility that combines a library, a show center, an exploration hall, a citizen activity center and a cultural corridor. Located by Central Avenue in TEDA, the external architecture of the cultural center is eye catching and, in a word, astonishing.

In the library, the most prominent feature is the spherical multi-functional hall. The outside of the hall is covered with 400,000 LED lights and the interior is perfectly designed to play movies. That is why the library is also called "The Eye of Binhai". Inside, the hall can hold lectures and seat up to 200 people. The library has 1500 seats in its reading area and its collection is expected to reach 1,350,000 books. The book collection includes both paper and digital editions and can meet people's needs for reading around the clock. Book sales and events such as book signings and reading salons will be regularly held in this part of the library.

The spherical hall in the library

In the library

The Binhai Show Center is a building with five floors and contains a professional theatre hall with 1400 seats, an experimental theatre with 400 seats and a comprehensive multi-purpose area. Like the spherical hall in the library, an LED staircase is the biggest highlight of the impressive show center. There are 37 steps up the staircase and it can be used to play video or images. Imagine the experience of being able to see what's going on in the theatre via the LED staircase, it will undoubtedly be amazing! The Center will also combine artistic cross-overs, art industrial incubations and other components of the entertainment industry. It is expected to hold all the major celebrations and art shows in the Binhai New Area. In addition, the theatre will introduce famous performers, theatres and bands from inside and out of China to Binhai residents and ensure that our art scene in Binhai is even more exciting and equal to any in China.

The LED staircase at the show center

The Binhai Modern Art Gallery sits in a "crystal" building that reflects the history and characteristics of the Binhai New Area. In the modern art hall, there are sections for painting, modern sculpture and installation art. It will also become a platform for art exchange, creation of new pieces, exhibitions and public art education. It is said that Zhang Yu, the inheritor of Clay Figurine Zhang, will set up his figurine hall in the Binhai Modern Art Gallery. As this most well-known handicraft originated in Tianjin, Clay Figurine Zhang will be show cased with the vivid clay figurines that reflect the everyday life of local Tianjiners in old times. It is also one of the most popular souvenirs for travelers from over the world to take home with as a reminder of their time in Tianjin.

The exterior of the Modern Art Gallery

The Binhai Modern City and Industry Exploration Hall highlights the eight major industries in the Binhai New Area. The exterior of the exploration hall was built with copper plate so it has become known as the "copper hot pot". It has eight halls that are metropolitan hall for major cities in the world and their future development, a creative life hall for architectural art and industrial design, an aviation exploration hall for aviation and aerospace equipment manufacturing, the light of wisdom hall for super computers and internet technology, a zero-carbon time hall for green energy and new materials, a life secret hall for gene technology and bio-pharmacy displays, a nature exploitation hall for weighty equipment and petrochemical engineering and a green home for halophyte greening and urban agriculture. It is a window to display the planning of the Binhai New Area and the accomplishments of the eight major industries as well as the latest trends in city planning and architecture and the development of modern industrial technology.

The exterior of the Exploration Hall

The Citizens Activity Center is an integrated public service facility which includes a marriage registration office and an activity base for social groups NGOs. The Binhai Culture and Education Center is also located in the activity center and has attracted several big brands in education including Maple Education and LEGO. The center has adopted a mode that combines Chinese and western education methods and focuses on cultivating students' comprehensive qualities and interests in study. It will also help them develop good habits and an effective methodology. Over time, it is expected that gyms, cinemas, early education institutes and more recreational brands will enter the activity center and make the center a comprehensive facility where citizens can spend their spare time.

The cultural corridor is a public space in the middle of the whole cultural center as well as the main axis for its public transportation. The corridor is 340m long and 30m high and will be used as multi-functional facility, and will display future developments in science, art and ecology via multi-media, VR and abstract art forms. The corridor will link all the five main bodies and provides a comfortable space for visitors to relax.

A series of shows, exhibitions and concerts were presented during the National Day holiday and attracted many citizens to see this new landmark of our Binhai New Area. We look forward to seeing more events held in this place so that living in Binhai will become even more exciting and meaningful.