Beijing (Tianjin)

THE CITY OF TIANJIN

Tianjin is located by the Bohai Bay on the west coast of the Pacific Ocean along the Hai He River, which connects to the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers via the Grand Canal in Tianjin. Tianjin is the sixth largest city of the People's Republic of China in terms of urban population. Administratively it is one of the four municipalities that have provincial-level status, reporting directly to the central government. Also, its urban land area is the fifth largest in China.  Tianjin is not only an open port and port city with a fairly developed industry and commerce in north China, but also a famous historical and cultural city in China.

The name of Tianjin first appeared in the early years of the reign of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, meaning the ferry port used by an emperor or “The Son of Heaven”. In the second year of Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1404) it became a military position of strategic importance, and construction of city walls and garrison installations began. Tianjin started building fortifications and defences as a strategic military place.

In 1860 Tianjin was turned into an open port. For years its industrial production and port trade volume were only second to Shanghai, becoming the second largest commercial city in China and the biggest financial and trading centre in north China. Tianjin was quickly visited and used by several countries that all left their mark on the city:  Italy, Germany, France, Russia, Great Britain, Austria, Japan and Belgium. This foreign influence is clearly visible in the thousands of villas that abound in Tianjin, thereby changing the original Chinese character of the city. Today, however, these buildings give the city an exotic air. After the founding of the People's Republic of China Tianjin was turned into a municipality directly under the central authorities.

Nowadays Tannin is more and more a tourist destination in China because of its numerous tourist sites and rich history. Some of the most notable attractions are:

Jinmen Shijing, are Gu Wenhua Jie, Dagu Emplacement, Huangyaguan Great Wall, Dule Temple, Haihe River, Water Park, Panshan Mountain, Hotel Street and Food Street, Tianjin TV & Radio Tower and Zhonghuan Cailian.

THE PORT OF TIANJIN

Tianjin Port will receive a new International Cruise Terminal lies at the south end of Dongjiang Bonded Port Area. The project aims to turn Tianjin port into a leading destination for international cruise ships as well as a home port for luxury international liners. The terminal is expected to come on line by 2012.  

TRANSPORT IN TIANJIN

Tianjin has a well-planned transportation system. There are several international and domestic sea routes into and from the port of Tianjin.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN TIANJIN

The Port of Tianjin's Old City is a wonderful historic area with a lot of  traditional and charming buildings , Furthermore, the city has numerous tourist landscapes like  mountain, river, lake and sea landscapes, as well as ancient and modern constructions, Chinese as well as foreign urban developments, and rich social tourist resources.

Some highlights in Tianjin are:  the beautiful Haihe River landscape route, the Ancient Cultural Street, which is known in the world, the Food Street,  Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao Memorial Hall which is unique in the country. The city does not lack in museums and science venues. Some examples are the Science and Technology Hall and various interesting museums. The Jade Emperor Pavilion from 1427dates from the Ming Dynasty. The Islamic Mosque from the 1700’s is a reminder of the international attraction of Tianjin. Other famous tourist sites are:  the 1904 church beside the Lion Forest Bridge and the 1907 Guangdong Assembly Hall.

In the outer suburbs of the city is the Huangyaguan Great Wall, a section of the Great Wall of China which has been recognized as World Cultural Heritage by the United Nations. The Huangyaguan section was originally built in the middle 6th Century AD. It has undergone repairs during the Ming Dynasty and again in 1985. It was the north entrance to Jinxian. From here, a breathtaking view can be had over the green mountains with their glorious waterfalls and quiet springs.

City Symbol of Tianjin is the Tianjin Broadcasting TV Tower, the highest building in Tianjin