City Info: Tianjin

Tianjin, one of the four municipalities directly under the Central Government in China, is located in the northeast of the North China Plain and is the closest seaport to Beijing. The city is nicknamed ‘Shanghai of the North’ a reference to its history as a foreign concession, its heavy industrial output, its large port and its Europeanised architecture. Foreigners who live there now often call it ‘TJ’–an abbreviation which mystifies the Chinese. Tianjin was considered the most important military fortresses. Any "aliens" would have to get through Tianjin for direct access to the capital, a mere 80km to the west. In 1860, after the First Opium War, Tianjin was further expanded as a business and communications center. By the end of the 19th century, it had grown into a bustling center with a population of approximately 300,000 citizens. The tourism of the city is growing in a fast pace, too. The famous scenic spots are Pan Mountain, Hai River and Tanggu. Tianjin Harbor is the greatest man made harbor in north China. In the streets and alleys, there are distinctive little foreign buildings.

Population
10 million

Cuisine
Food in Tianjin is quite different from other regions in China. The famous Tianjin-style braised creamed cabbage (steamed stuffed buns called "goubuli") are definitely worth a try. Fish and seafood are also very common. Tianjin snacks, mainly made of flour, are deep fried, baked, foods in soup and glutinous desserts. Goubuli steamed stuffed buns, Guifaxiang fried dough twists and Erduoyan fried glutinous rice cakes are three superb snacks of Tianjin.

When to Go
Tianjin lies in a temperate zone and it enjoys four distinct seasons a year. The average yearly temperature is only 13C with hot summers (in July the temperature can be higher than 26C) and freezing temperatures in January. The best periods to visit Tianjin are spring and autumn when pleasant temperatures can be expected.

Tianjin Airport Info
Tianjin has flights connecting almost all important Chinese cities, and some international destinations. The airport here is 13km from the city center. Shuttle bus to city costs RMB 10, to Beijing Capital Airport, costs RMB70.

Accommodations

Main Scenic Spots

Excursion from Tianjin

Official Websites
- Tianjin Provincial People's Government (Only in Chinese version)

Museum

Tianjin Museum of Science and Technology
Located on Longchang Road in Hexi District, covering an area of 40,000 square meters and a construction area of 15,100 square meters, the Tianjin Museum of Science and Technology is the biggest science and technology hall with the most advanced equipment in China. The hall is composed of the exhibition, multi-functional celestial phenomena, reporting and training rooms. The two-story exhibition hall which is divided into 14 exhibition areas in line with different branches of learning displays 318 pieces, (sets) of exhibits, Visitors can personally try on more than 80 percent of the exhibits. The multi-functional celestial phenomena, also known as the cosmic theatre can project special all-weather films.

Natural Museum

Situated at Machang Street in Hexi District, the Natural Museum grew out of the Beijing Museum. The new museum covering an area of 20,000 square meters was built in 1997. The museum is divided into the exhibition halls such as reptile, ancient mammal, zoo tope, aquatic animal am oh ibious reptile, marine shell, world insect and subtropical halls with more than 380,000 objects.