Built on the former site of the Palace of the Goddess of the Sea (Tianhou Gong), the museum includes a gate, torii, bell tower, drum tower, front hall, main hall, depository of Buddhist scriptures, theQishengTempleof the rear hall and four side halls on both sides of the main hall. North to the gate is Zhangxian Pavilion, which has been the overhead lane-spanning projection ofAncient Culture Street. Located 20 meters from the gate are two streamer poles at a height of 26 meters. At a distance of 80 meters, the ancient theatre of the Palace of the Goddess of the Sea and the streamer poles face each other
Beside the sculptures in the front and main palace halls is the newly establishedTianjinFolkloreMuseumwith over 2,000 pieces of folk relics. Tianjin folk customs exhibitions are held in the four side halls; there is a depository of Buddhist scriptures and the Zhangxian Temple, an introduction to the emergence of grain transport, development of fishery and salt industries, variousHuahui(fairs held during the Spring Festival featuring various folk arts and sporting performances), wedding ceremonies and the unique custom of Shuanwawa. Folk crafts and theater arts are also on display at the museum, including different types of shop signs, articles for everydayuse, customs of clothing, food, shelter and transport, a New Year Painting of Yangliuqing, kites, brick reliefs,clay sculptures, velvet flowers, paper cuts and weaving. The museum also features regular exhibitions of various subjects like calligraphy, clothing, tree-root sculptures, all-industry paintings and exhibitions of folk crafts, as well as sales.
During important festivals, theTianjinFolkloreMuseumusually holds traditional theater performances and Huahui performances in the ancient theater or the square where various folk art works are sold.