Tianjin Travel Guide

Housed in a self-contained municipality on China’s eastern seaboard, just south of Beijing, Tianjin is a huge city better-known for its industrial output than its tourist charms. Still worth a look on the way to the capital, sections of the Great Wall lie within the municipality to the north of the city, while Tianjin proper is a curious mish-mash of European and Chinese styles dating back to the foreign concession era of the 19th century.

Any visit to Tianjin is not complete without a look around the old colonial parts of the city. The best examples amid the city’s rush for modernization are Jiefang road and Munan Dao. Tianjin even has its own Chinatown, a confusing concept given that it is one of the largest cities in China, but then this area dates back to the days when the city was apportioned to the likes of England and France.

Tianjin is also home to a variety of religious buildings, the most well-known being the Monastery of Deep Compassion, built in the mid-17th century. The city is also home to a French Catholic church, a large mosque, a Confucian temple and other smaller religious structures. For a look at the Great Wall, make the 100-mile bus journey north of Tianjin to the Yellow Cliff Pass.

Tianjin Attractions

Monastery of Deep Compassion: is a 400-year-old temple which was partly destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, yet is still impressive following renovation work.

Chinatown: see how the other half lived during the Tianjin concessions in this partly authentic area south of Beima road.

Antique Market: hustle and bustle Chinese style at this famous outdoor market, with thousands of different old pieces on display every Saturday and Sunday.

Great Wall: head north out of the city for a look at Tianjin’s section of the mighty wall.

Pan Shan: is a much celebrated range of hills north of the city with superb views of the Great Wall on a clear day.