Street view of the former German Concession.

The former German Concession was established in 1895. The Tianjin municipal government has preserved many German style buildings, and several historians are currently researching the notable German citizens who lived and visited Tianjin. One of the more famous German personalities was Gustav Detring, the diplomatic consultant to Li Hongzhang, the minister of Peiyang at the end of the Qing Dynasty. Mr. Detring was also the president of the British Concession. Constantin von Hanneken is a person who lived a legendary life. He came to China as a young man and was employed as a military instructor of Peiyang Navy by the Qing Dynasty. During Sino-Japanese War he was on a merchant ship that was sunk by a Japanese warship. Although he, along with 200 soldiers, made it to shore, 800 others perished in the water.

Mansion of Zhang Xun built in last years of Qing Dynasty.

The former Detring and Hanneken residences were destroyed in the Tangshan Earthquake (1976), though the German Club, which they often attended, has been preserved. This German style ancient fortress attracts visitors from around the world.

German Club built in 1907.