Tianjin City & Binhai

Wudadao's "museum of world architecture" and the Italian Style Town, night cruises on the Haihe River and the Tianjin Eye, plus jianbing guozi and crosstalk teahouses.

Tianjin is one of China's four direct-administered municipalities. It lies in the northeast of the North China Plain, on the lower Haihe River, with the Bohai Sea to the east. It is about 120 km from Beijing and as little as 30 minutes away by intercity high-speed train, making it the most convenient short trip in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region. Nine foreign concessions in the modern era left behind large areas of villas in many different styles. These stand alongside the Old City and Ancient Culture Street, giving Tianjin its distinctive blend of Western architecture and local street life. This destination covers the urban area and Binhai New Area (Jizhou's Panshan Mountain and the Huangyaguan Great Wall to the north are listed separately as the "Jizhou" destination).

The best seasons are April–May (crabapple blossoms) and September–October; July–August is muggy and rainy, and winter is cold and dry. Sightseeing falls into five areas: ① Both banks of the Haihe River – the Century Clock at Tianjin Railway Station, Jiefang North Road, Jinwan Plaza, the Italian Style Town and the Tianjin Eye, with night cruises to see the lights; ② Wudadao and Heping District – the Wudadao villas, the Porcelain House, Jing Garden, Xikai Church, Heping Road and the Binjiang Road shopping district; ③ The Old City – Ancient Culture Street, the Drum Tower, Dabei Temple and Wanghailou Church, with breakfast at Xibeijiao (the Northwest Corner); ④ Hexi and Nankai – the Cultural Center (museums, Grand Theatre, Natural History Museum), Tianjin Radio and TV Tower, Water Park Lake and the Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao Memorial Hall; ⑤ The suburbs and Binhai – the Shi Family Mansion in Yangliuqing and Happy Valley, plus the National Maritime Museum, Binhai Library, aircraft carrier theme park, Dagukou Forts and Beitang seafood in Binhai New Area.

Getting around: Binhai Airport is linked to the city by Metro Line 2. Tianjin Station is in the city center by the Haihe River, while Tianjin West and Tianjin South stations handle many high-speed trains. The metro reaches the main sights, and Binhai New Area can be reached by the Jinbin light rail or intercity train. We recommend 2–3 days: Day 1 Wudadao and the Haihe night views, Day 2 the Old City and the Italian Style Town, Day 3 Binhai New Area. Notes: tickets for popular crosstalk teahouses must be booked in advance; free venues such as the National Maritime Museum require reservations, and many are closed on Mondays; for breakfast, try jianbing guozi, guobacai and old tofu (laodoufu).

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries