U.S. antique dealer that donated artifact drops by for snack

Evan Kail (right) tastes a snack in Xibeijiao in Tianjin's Hongqiao district on Nov 28. (ZHU SHUANGYIN/FOR CHINA DAILY)

Around Xibeijiao, a must-visit destination for its food and sights in Tianjin's Hongqiao district, it's not uncommon to find tourists dragging suitcases and strolling around to enjoy a rich variety of traditional local foods.

Either eager for food right after getting off a plane or train, or desperate to savor the delicious snacks one last time before heading home, they have become a common sight on this old street corner where vendors sell Tianjin classics such as jianbing guozi, a savory crepe wrap with various fillings, and mahua, twisted fried dough sticks.

Evan Kail, a 36-year-old from the United States who has built deep connections with China, is one of the most famous and welcomed foreign guests in Xibeijiao.

Kail became known in China in 2022 when he donated a photo album, which documented criminal acts by the Japanese army in China during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), to the Chinese Consulate in Chicago.

It won him much respect in China, with some netizens calling him an "ambassador of peace".

Due to his popularity among Chinese people, Kail was invited to attend this year's CCTV Spring Festival Gala on Jan 28, the eve of Chinese New Year.

An antiques dealer, Kail said he has always loved Chinese culture, and set up his own cultural studio in Hongqiao last year.

When he was invited to visit Xibeijiao on Nov 28, some residents there quickly recognized him.

Surrounded by friendly smiles and enthusiastic greetings as he moved through the vendors, he eagerly enjoyed sampling the local food. He even asked a vendor to teach him how to make jianbing guozi, and shared his experience and joy with the locals.

Many Tianjin residents, touched by his kindness and enthusiasm for China, presented him with gifts such as traditional handicrafts and local specialties.

Xibeijiao is predominantly inhabited by people of the Hui ethnic group, known for their deep tradition and exquisite cooking skills.

The breakfast restaurants in Xibeijiao previously only catered to the local residents. Thanks to the appealing taste and affordable prices of its delicacies, its fame has grown in recent years.

Currently, 10,000 to 20,000 people visit the district every day. During holidays and weekends, the figure can hit 100,000, with a majority coming from outside Tianjin.

Ren Cuirong, Party chief of Lingdangge community in the district, said the area was extensively decorated and upgraded to create a more festive atmosphere for the Spring Festival holiday.

"Dragon and lion dances aren't really suitable for such a crowded residential area like Xibeijiao. However, the area instead focused more on providing excellent services and delicious snacks to satisfy visitors from all over the world," Ren said.

During this year's Spring Festival holiday, Xibeijiao has received 807,000 visitors and from home and abroad, up 30 percent compared to the same period last year, according to local statistics.