Abstract: Culture is the soul of a city. It plays a unique role and therefore holds an indispensable position in the city.As a city with long history and rich culture, Tianjin is a “window” though which China can learn western cultures in the pre-modern era.It is also considered the most important cultural communication hub in which the western and Chinese culture merged harmoniously.

Tianjin boasts unique geographical advantage.It is a city 75 miles away from the capital, Beijing, dwelling along the river and by the sea.After Tianjin was forced open to the foreign trade in 1860, the foreign powers not only invade China militarily, politically, economically, they also export their cultures to China , reshaping Tianjin’s mono-traditional culture into a diversified one— a coexistence of both Chinese and western cultures.

Water plays a significant role in breeding Tianjin’s culture.The branches of the HaiheRiver nurtured the local culture, while the sea brought in foreign cultures, changing the city into a colorful place.The opening of Tianjin to foreign trade breaks the domination of Tianjin’s traditional culture and expands the spectrum of cultures.The exchange and coordination between various cultures made Tianjin a culturally diversified city and promoted the national and regional cultural communication.As a city known for its long history and kaleidoscopic cultures, Tianjin will try to be innovative and keep pace with the time in an effort to enhance its role as a cultural center and promote its cultural influence.

Key Words: opening of Tianjin as a treaty port, diversified culture, innovation