Originating in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Mazu culture began to take shape in the Yuan Dynasty,and gradually became more and more popular,especially in modern times. It is characteristic of China's marine culture, as evidenced by people's putting up Mazu statues on ships,an act of worship,to pray for safe sailing.A distinctive local culture and a cultural symbol in Tianjin,Mazu culture has an important impact on the formation and development of the city.

Tianjin Tianhou Temple, built in 1326 outside the east gate of Tianjin City,is one of the three major Mazu temples in the world,the other two being the Mazu Temple in Meizhou Fujian,and the Chaotian Temple in Beigang, Taiwan.Formerly called Tianfei Temple,it is the oldest architectural complex in Tianjin surviving multiple renovations,and one of the earliest existent Mazu temples in China.In February 2023,a delegation from the Taiwan Mazu Fellowship paid a visit to the temple.

Tianjin is colloquially referred to as the "comic city", with most Tianjin people having a great sense of humor.A visit to Tianjin without watching crosstalk performances would be a pity.And you cannot go a day in Tianjin without seeing the teahouses almost full of people appreciating crosstalk.It may well be said that crosstalk has become an indispensable part of Tianjin people'slives.

Xiangsheng,or crosstalk,is an art form in northern China,originating in Beijing in the Qing Dynasty,yet reaching its maturity in Tianjin.Hence the saying that "Crosstalk was born in Beijing,but grew up in Tianjin". Tianjin is believed to be a Mecca for crosstalk performers.In the 1920s when crosstalk was prospering in the city,performers frequently traveled back and forth between Tianjin and Beijing,and many of them performed in Tianjin at first before fame carried them to other parts of China.

Ma Sanli,a crosstalk master,dedicated his life to the art form,with which he satirized falsehood and ugliness while praising truth, goodness,and beauty.Known for his unique artistic style,he significantly promoted the development of crosstalk.

Guo Degang,a native of Tianjin,is one of the founders of the Deyun Society,which has delivered many crosstalk performances to its audiences since the opening of its Tianjin branch in 2021.

The Hometown of “Quyi”,an umbrella term for various storytelling and musical arts,is another name that Tianjin is known by.It sees the formation and flourishing of many operas and art forms.Tianjin Shidiao(popular tunes),

Tianjin Kuaiban(bamboo clappers), and Jingyun Drum originated and formed in Tianjin,while crosstalk, Peking Opera,Pingju Opera,and Hebei Bangzi(clapper opera) flourished and developed in the city.Having nurtured hundreds of crosstalk artists,Tianjin is widely recognized as the cradle of crosstalk masters in China.And crosstalk,Pingju Opera,Hebei Bangzi,Tianjin Shidiao,and Plum Blossom Drum have all been selected as representative items of national intangible cultural heritage.