If the city’s current leadership has its way, Tianjin will soon be rid of its image problem. It already boasts plenty of economic muscle.

The birthplace of two of China’s stalwart, old-time manufacturers— Seagull cameras and Flying Pigeon bicycles—Tianjin has long been a major industrial center, attracting multinationals such as Motorola, Samsung, Volkswagon, and Toyota. As with most fast-growing Chinese cities, cranes and sprouting skyscrapers dot the skyline, especially around the train station, which was revamped and expanded ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics (Tianjin hosted some of the football matches). And since 2007, global movers and shakers have convened here for the World Economic Forum’s “Summer Davos,” one of Asia’s highest-profile business and political gatherings.

For the past decade or so, Tianjin has been undergoing a major makeover. Aware that its history is a unique selling point, in 2005 officials launched a 20-year campaign to spruce up the city’s heritage properties. More than 600 buildings were deemed worthy of protection, while areas such as the former Italian Concession were slated for wholesale facelifts. Even newly constructed buildings have been given turrets, arches, domes, and other concession-era flourishes.

As a result, international hotel chains have come knocking and are starting to build handsome properties with an eye on tourism. This past September, Hotel Indigo (InterContinental Hotels Group’s hip boutique brand) opened a 96-room property modeled after the German consulate that once stood on the site. Next year will see the opening of hotels run by Banyan Tree and Ritz-Carlton, while Shangri-La and Conrad will be joining the roster in the near future.

All this is impressive—but will it be enough to convince visitors to linger? Because there’s a lot of convincing that needs to be done. When I happened to mention to a Chinese acquaintance that I was planning a weekend in Tianjin, she curled her lip and asked, “But why?”