How to Experience the Best of Tianjin

Tianjin is always an engrossing city to visit, presenting a distinctive blend of traditional elegance and contemporary charm to the traveller. Located in proximity to the Chinese capital, Beijing, this city inherits a rich historical legacy and features eye-catching architecture as well as a noteworthy culinary scene. Both Eastern and Western cultural influences can be discerned in this metropolis as well. Some of the outstanding attractions to visit in Tianjin are described below. 

Cruise the Haihe River 

A great place to commence your tour of the highlights of this city is the scenic Haihe River. Regarded as Tianjin’s ‘mother river’, this waterway has long been a hub of activity here; this river has, over the course of centuries, been inextricably linked with the city’s cultural and economic development. Many locals, as well as foreign visitors, take the opportunity to relax and enjoy leisure on the banks of this vast waterway. You may also undertake an absorbing cruise on this river and take in the sights from this unique perspective. 

Visit Porcelain House 

A rather different kind of attraction is the absorbing Porcelain House, also known as Yuebao House. This captivating highlight happens to be a fascinating museum focusing on antiques and pottery. You will see that this former mansion has been intricately decorated over the course of a number of years by Zhang Lianzhi, a noteworthy collector of porcelain items. Visitors are sure to be impressed by the manner in which the façade of this building has been adorned with innumerable small fragments of porcelain, crystal and marble.

Stroll through Tianjin Ancient Culture Street 

Culture enthusiasts should undoubtedly take the opportunity to explore the captivating Tianjin Ancient Culture Street, also known as Guwenhua Jie. You will see that this distinctive locality is bounded by the Haihe River. Interestingly, this street has been designed to resemble a typical market during the rule of the Qing Dynasty. Known for its entrancing traditional architecture, this locale contains a multitude of shops offering handicrafts, folk arts and tasty snacks. A Tianjin hotel to consider, from which you can easily visit this attraction, is Pan Pacific Tianjin. 

Ride the Tianjin Eye 

A not-to-be-missed experience in this city is taking a ride on the amazing Tianjin Eye, a huge Ferris wheel that provides passengers with the chance to take in stunning views over the city. As you might expect, it is a marvellous feeling to ascend into the air on this giant Ferris wheel, which measures no less than 120 m in height, making it amongst the tallest on the globe! You will see that this jaw-dropping creation has been constructed above the prominent Yongle Bridge, and it is well worth photographing at night when lit up.

Explore the Five Great Avenues 

Your experience of this city wouldn’t be complete without visiting the interesting Five Great Avenues, particularly if you have a penchant for architecture. In this upscale residential quarter, you will encounter a number of parallel roads that are lined by buildings displaying outstanding European architectural styles of the 1920s and 1930s. You are sure to be impressed by the eye-catching architecture featured here, including Greek, Romantic and Gothic design styles. 

Savour the delights of Nanshi Food Street

Foodies visiting this city definitely shouldn’t miss out on the chance to explore the well-known Nanshi Food Street, which, as you might have guessed, is devoted to delectable local foods. At this expansive mall, you will encounter a marvellous array of shops, stalls and restaurants, many of them offering delicious candies and baked pastries. Fried dough twists or ma hua are a popular choice here. You may also try culinary favourites like fried beans, ripe pear cakes and ear-eye fried cakes (erduoyan zhagao).