Thanks to its strategic location on Bohai Bay, Tianjin has long been an important port city. Its foreign concession past has left it with a vast collection of eclectic European style buildings in the Five Great Avenues, which contrast with both the Qing-era style buildings of Ancient Culture Street and the modern Binhai area, home to futuristic landmarks such as Tianjin Library. Rich in culture, history, and street food, Tianjin offers plenty of things to do and unique attractions ranging from the Porcelain House to the Tianjin Eye.
Tianjin experiences four distinct seasons, with hot and humid summers and cold, snowy winters, making spring and fall the best times for sightseeing and outdoor activities. The Huangyaguan Great Wall Marathon is held every year in late May. Expect the largest crowds during major holidays in China, including Chinese New Year and the weeklong national holidays in May and October.
Tianjin is well connected by public transport. The metro is easy to use and reaches most districts, with plans for additional lines. Buses are the cheapest and cover the entire city, but may be difficult for non-Chinese speakers to navigate. Taxis are cheap and plentiful, though language barriers may make rideshare apps such as DiDi preferable. The city is largely flat, making bicycles another option, and bike shares are available.
Although the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall is 19 miles (30 kilometers) north of Tianjin, it’s a must-visit when in Tianjin as it’s far less crowded than the sections closer to Beijing. You can enjoy spectacular views, as well as a 2-mile (3.5 kilometer) restored section featuring 20 watchtowers, a fort, and a gatehouse. You can visit independently, but a tour offers transfers and a guide to provide insights.
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Tianjin is known for being the biggest port in northern China and for its Five Great Avenues, home to more than 200 European-style buildings from its foreign concession era. The last Emperor of China also lived in Tianjin, in Jinyuan Garden. Tianjin is also home to the only Ferris wheel built on a bridge, the Tianjin Eye.
...MoreYes. Tianjin is a large cosmopolitan city that offers something for every type of traveler, including those interested in architecture, culture, and history. There are also an eclectic assortment of museums, great shopping, and a wide array of food options. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore the Huangyaguan Great Wall or Panshan Mountain.
...MoreTop attractions include the European architecture of Five Great Avenues and Italian Style Street, Ancient Culture Street, Nanshi Food Street, Tianjin Haihe Cultural Square, Porcelain House, Jinyuan Garden, Shi Family Courtyard, and the Tianjin Eye. The Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall of China is also a popular attraction, though it is outside of Tianjin.
...MoreStart the day trying local dishes such as jianbing at Nanshi Food Street. Visit the Five Great Avenues and contrast that with Ancient Culture Street or the modern Binhai district. Stop at the Porcelain House and Jinyuan Garden, home of the last Emperor. End the day with a cruise on the Haihe River or a ride on the Tianjin Eye.
...MoreTwo to three days is ideal. That’s enough time to visit top attractions such as the Five Great Avenues, Ancient Culture Street, Jingyuan Garden, and Tianjin Eye, as well as time to visit museums like the Porcelain House and Tianjin Museum, enjoy a Haihe River cruise, go on a food tour, and visit the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall.
...MoreLocal specialties include goubuli (steamed dumplings), jianbing (breakfast crepes), erduoyan (fried rice cakes), chatang soup (millet tea soup), guo ba cai (mung bean pancake strip soup), Four Great Stews (with chicken, duck, fish, and beef or mutton), and Eight Great Bowls (a set of eight meat dishes). Nanshi Food Street is a great place to sample these.
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