Tianjin is China’s3rd largest city that is a major commercial and industrial center as well as the biggest port in north China. 137 km southeast of Beijing, Tianjin is situated at the confluence of five tributaries of the Haihe River, 50 km from the Gulf of Bohai.
Tianjin is best known for its streetscapes of colonial era buildings, a residue of its status as a Treaty Port after 1858. Now a center of multinational businesses concentrated in the new satellite city known as TEDA (Tianjin Economic Development Area), Tianjin has an extensive modern infrastructure, and is known for the high quality of its industrial products.
Sightseeing
- Tianjin Binhai Aircraft Carrier Theme Park(天津滨海航母主题公园) is a large military theme park constructed around the Ukrainian Kiev Aircraft Carrier. It provides an opportunity for visitors to gain military knowledge and have a close look at the command center, intelligence room and the science and technology museum. The only western restaurant on an aircraft carrier in the world is also located here. The park was renovated in 2011 to show visitors the history, features and development of the city. Admission ~ RMB 160
- Haihe River Bund Park(海河外滩)Located in Tanggu District, the public park along the river is 1km long, connecting the park with the pedestrian mall on Jiefang Road in the north of the city. 19 bronze sculptures are standing inside the park. In the middle of the strip is a water fountain that reaches an height of 170 m, the highest in China. The park combines shopping, outdoor fun and nature as to provide foreigners with a good opportunity to experience local life. Better at night.
- Drum Tower (鼓楼), Gulou E St, Nankai (南开区鼓楼东街) was originally built in the Ming Dynasty, but was destroyed during the culture revolution. The Drum Tower was rebuilt in 2001 and now actually houses a bell and not drums. The tower is home to varying exhibitions. Admission Free.
- Tianjin Eye(天津眼)Built in 2007, the Tianjin Eye is a 120m tall giant Ferris wheel built above the Yongle Bridge, over the Hai River. It is the only such wheel to have been constructed over a bridge in the world. It is electrically powered and has 48 passenger capsules, each one able to carry eight passengers, and takes 30 minutes to complete a rotation. It was opened to the public in 2008. Admission ~ RMB 70
- Dule Temple(独乐寺)is more than 1,000 years old and consists of a complex of grand structures. In Dule Temple you can see the oldest multi-storied wooden pavilion in China and the Kwan-yin statue, one of the biggest clay sculptures preserved in China. The Dule Temple is the country’s oldest existing wood-structural pavilion architecture. Admission ~ RMB 18
- Ancient Culture Street (Gu Wenhua Jie)(古文化街) (Jinmen Guli – Jinmen is another name for Tianjin and Guli implies old place) is a pedestrian street on the western bank of the Hai River in Nankai District, Tianjin. There are many stores along this street dealing in jade, antiques, calligraphy, paint brushes, double-sided embroidery, ceramics, traditional handicrafts, especially famous Niren Zhang painted sculptures and Weiji kites. The architecture there was constructed in Qing Dynasty-style (1644-1911). In the center of the street, you will find Tianhou Palace. Built in 1326, during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the palace was a haven for people to pray for navigation safety, but now it has been converted into a folk museum. The two original archways with engravings stemming from the old days make for another cultural highlight on the street.
- Tianjin Museum (天津博物馆) has modern exhibition halls with an extensive collection of ancient Chinese fine arts and exhibits on Tianjin’s history. There are nearly 200,000 collections of art and relics, including calligraphy, paintings, bronzeware, ceramics, jadeware, seals, inkstone, Jiagu (bones or tortoise shells with inscriptions of the Shang Dynasty), coins, historic documents and relics of modern times. Admission Free
- Huangyaguan Great Wall(黄崖关长城)runs on the ridge of mountains to the north of Ji County in Tianjin. An important military project of the Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577) and is located at the juncture of four cities, Beijing, Tianjin, Tangshan and Chengde, it was renovated and lengthened in the Sui Dynasty (581-618) and again during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). This section of the ancient Great Wall had a length of 42 km, but it suffered extensive damage throughout its long history. In 1987, it was repaired and opened to tourists. As part of the World Cultural Heritage, the Huangyaguan Great Wall is the longest restored section of the Great Wall. Admission ~ RMB 65
Shopping
Being the biggest antique market in China, Shenyang Dao Antique Market (沈阳道古玩市场) is filled with all kinds of shops selling porcelains, paintings, gold, silver, copper, jade articles, and so on.
Ancient Culture Street (Gu Wenhua Jie)(古文化街). Traditionally designed stores line either side of the street, dealing in paintings, calligraphy, jade, or other renowned Chinese arts and crafts. It is a good place to find souvenirs and enjoy the architectural spectacle.
Notes
The ship port is named Xingang (新港), which is about 45 km east to downtown Tianjin. A single train ride from Tanggu Station (about 15 minutes from the sea port) to Beijing South Station takes just under an hour.Tianjin Railway Station is the largest station in the city. Bullet train to Beijing South train station. One-way tickets are ¥55 for Economy, ¥66 for Business, or ¥94 for VIP. The bullet train designation is a ‘C’ and takes about 33 minutes, travelling up to 300 km/h. Tianjin West, within the urban area serve bullet trains to Shanghai.