Strolling along Haihe River, there is this Gothic castle architecture beside Dagu Bridge attracting many tourists come and go. Four octagonal towers stand respectively on four corners with the sense of mystery. With the background of charming night of Haihe River, you will feel like walking in the Middle Ages. It is the Gordon Hall of great celebrity. Built in 1890, the former architecture located on the north side of Victoria Park (the current Jiefang North Park) was wracked because of the Tangshan Earthquake in 1976. The current Gordon Hall was reconstructed in a different place in 2010 according to the original appearance.

Gordon was a highly praised person in British history; from concession planning to suppression of taiping rebellion, he was regarded as a meritorious statesman and even awarded the title of provincial commander-in-chief by Qing Government, which was rare in the history of office of China. Until he was dispatched to Sudan holding the post of the governor of colonization and died in battle in Sudan, he fought for British colonialist for his lifetime, while Tianjin is the important beginning of his military life. Gordon was close with Li Hongzhang and the construction of Gordon Hall was strongly supported by Li Hongzhang. The completed Gordon Hall became a popular meeting place for politicians, merchants and celebrities, where happened many important historical events affecting old China.

Circumstances has changed with the passage of time. From the former British Municipal Council to the current reconstructed Gordon Hall on the bank of Haihe River, the years of humiliation have been far away. These ancient western buildings are like magic cubes generated by time and space, reflecting the vicissitudes and changes in Tianjin in past hundred years of modern China.