Tianjin 天津 Travel Guide

Over shadowed by nearby Beijing, which is now only a 30 minute super high speed train ride away, Tianjin is often overlooked and is only really worth a visit as part of one of the ferry trips to and from Korea that leave from the port of Tanggu nearby. A concession port along with Shanghai and Canton (Guangzhou) there are still colonial buildings which are being restored and Beijing’s building boom is also here with glass towers and a new football stadium.

To catch the ferry to Korea or Japan!

For colonial era buildings the Citibank Building opposite the former Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, dates from 1918. Other notables include the Jardine Matheson & Co and Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank buildings, now all Chinese banks. The Old City is worth a wander and has good handicraft shopping opportunities. In the centre is the Drum Tower. Also worth a shop is the Ming dynasty Confucius Temple which has a daily antiques market selling piles of books, propaganda posters and pamphlets from the Cultural Revolution.

Not much of a tourist attraction but more an interesting entry and exit point for China if you are taking a ferry to Korea or Japan.

Generally aim to stay in Beijing although occasionally a night in Tianjin is needed if you are catching an early Ferry to Japan or Korea.

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By Phil Stanley & Headseast – TCTC Destination Expert.