The Haihe River was Tianjin's connection between the Grand Canal; which reached the Old City of Tianjin; and the sea (Bohai Gulf) at Tanggu. For most of its history it was an area of warehouses; quays; bustling small boats. Over the last 10/15 years the river banks have been cleaned up; landscaped and transformed into a desirable area to visit or reside.This area illustrated; within Hedong District; was part of the former Russian Concession; the old Russian Consulate lies just off the right corner of this image.Riverside properties adopt a semi-European style while behind rise the upmarket Zhonghai apartments.The prominent tall building is five-star Shangri-La Hotel; one of Tianjin's top hotels opened around 2015; occupying this prominent riverside location.