WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT TIANJIN

Tianjin is a city that is often over-looked and many people haven’t even heard of it, yet it is actually one of the biggest cities in China.

According to my research, Tianjin is the 3rd most populated city-proper in China and the 5th in the world!

If you haven't yet heard of Tianjin, then read on to check out all of the cool things you can do when you visit and find out why it is one of China’s most liveable cities for expats.

Wu Da Dao

‌Tianjin is a port city and has historically come into contact with many different cultures, even during China’s years of isolation. The area of Wu Da Dao, or “five great avenues”, best reflects Tianjin’s multicultural heritage but you will also find European influence throughout the city.

Wu Da Dao is a former European concession and has been occupied by numerous different countries. The architectural influences that these settlers left behind are not hard to spot and the streets are lined with different houses from different countries. It is a lovely place to spend the afternoon wandering the streets. Tianjin also boasts the largest number of Italian sculptures anywhere outside Italy.

Min Yuan Stadium

‌Right in the heart of Wu Da Dao is the Min Yuan Stadium. Once hosting football matches for Tianjin TEDA FC, it has since been renovated into a relaxing public space with some nice restaurants and bars to enjoy. After taking a stroll around Wu Da Dao, stop off at the stadium for a bit of downtime.

Tianta Tower

Shooting up into the sky with its space needle look is the original Tianjin landmark - the Tianta tower. When it was first built in the 90’s, it was Tianjin’s first skyscraper and it is still one of the city’s iconic sights.

You can pay to visit either its sight-seeing deck or an extra fee to visit the restaurant above it. We stumped up the extra cash for the restaurant and I would say that it’s not worth it, although the sightseeing deck is great. The 360-degree views really are spectacular.

Parks

Team it up with a trip to the nearby Water Park for some equally beautiful surroundings that you can enjoy with two feet firmly on the ground. This was my favourite park in Tianjin. We visited on a Sunday and all along the promenade were groups of people playing instruments, dancing, singing and it had a really nice communal feel. Everyone had come out to enjoy the weather and socialise, which is always one of my favourite things about public spaces in China.

Throughout the year the locals flock to many of Tianjin’s green spaces to enjoy a peaceful walk, fly a kite or indulge in some martial arts practice. Some of the most beautiful are the Tianjin water park, Taifeng Park and Forest Park.

Binhai Tianjin Library

If you have spent any time at all scrolling through photos of China on Instagram, then I am sure that you are familiar with the sweeping curves of the Binhai Tianjin Library.

Unfortunately, like many famous Insta-spots, it doesn't quite live up to expectations. It’s a great place to come to appreciate the beautiful architecture or up your Insta-game, but if you are expecting to scroll through the books you will be sorely disappointed as the majority are fake. There are only a handful of real books that people use to pose with, but the famous book-lined walls are on closer inspection giant murals with books painted on. Lesson learned - don't believe everything you see on social media!

Be warned, cameras and flip flops are not allowed inside the “library”, although there are lockers nearby in which you can store your bags.

It forms part of a larger cultural center that houses art galleries, a performing arts centre and other cultural gems like KFC and McDonald’s. As the library is located in TEDA, which is a neighbourhood quite far out from the centre, it is only really worth a visit if you are already in that side of town.

Riverbank

‌Every great city needs a river flanked by grand buildings to be considered truly sophisticated. Tianjin is no different and the Hai river which meanders through the city is lined with a variety of hotels and skyscrapers.

Along the banks, you can really see the diverse cultural influences of the city and you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Europe. Fishermen line the banks and it is bustling with people of all ages. This is the place to take a stroll - morning, evening or night.

Tianjin Eye

If you were to ask any local to pick their favourite sight, then chances are they would circle the Tianjin Eye on your map.

It is suspended above the Yongle bridge which spans the Hai River and offers you the added novelty of being able to wave at cars as they pass by underneath you. A trip on the eye takes around 30 mins and offers you amazing views of the river and city. Nighttime is when the wheel really comes alive and the twinkling lights look beautiful reflected in the water.

Tianjin Foreign Studies University/Nankai University

Tianijn is a great place if you are wanting to knuckle down and study.

The Tianjin Foreign Studies University is one of the very best in China. This renowned institution specialises in foreign language and culture studies. You can learn a diverse range of languages: from English to Japanese or German to Swahili. It also offers Chinese language programs for foreign exchange students.

‌The great educational institutions combined with the city’s polished accent makes Tianjin one of the best places to learn Mandarin in China. Tianjin is also not nearly as Westernized as nearby Beijing so you will have plenty of opportunities to practice your skills.
‌If you are more interested in the Sciences, then the world-famous Nankai University has you covered. Many of its programs are among the best in China and it also boasts a long list of reputable alumni, including many famous Chinese politicians, historians, scientists, and writers. It was one of the first universities to open up to foreign students and offers many scholarships to assist potential students, both Chinese and international.

Buddhist Temple

Tianjin is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy week of work or study. If you are in need of some spiritual cleansing, then head to the Dabei Buddhist Monastery to admire the architecture, do a spot of self-reflection and to indulge in some delicious veggie food.

Ancient Culture Street

‌If a taste of traditional Chinese culture is what you are after, then look no further than the Ancient Culture Street where you can find traditional handicrafts, quaint buildings, and delicious local snacks - all in one place.

Many of Tianjin’s other attractions are close by and you can easily combine a visit here with a day hitting the temples, culture street, and the riverbank.

Food

Most people would agree that Tianjin is great for food, especially breakfast. You will find many street food vendors lining the streets offering local delights. There is a real mix of dishes on offer to tantalise your taste buds.

Its close proximity to the sea means that Tianjin is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood. But Tianjin has a lot more to its culinary scene than fish dinners and laidback street food. If you fancy a slice of home then you can find tasty fresh-baked pizza, a sloppy burger or fresh and authentic Japanese restaurants.

This is also a city for those who like to cook. Ditch the supermarket and head to the local markets where you can find lots of cheap, fresh produce to recreate your favourite dishes from home or try some exotic fruits that you can’t get in the west. The markets also offer a fantastic opportunity to practice your Chinese.

Nightlife

‌As far as big cities and nightlife goes, Tianjin isn’t exactly known for its party scene, but that’s OK as Beijing is just around the corner. Less choice means you get a more local vibe. You will usually find lots of expats in Tianjin’s bars and it is great to meet new friends over a nice cold beer.

Walking around Tianjin, it is hard to believe it is the 3rd largest city in China. The city offers a more relaxed vibe than the hustle and bustle of metropolises such as Shanghai or Beijing.

‌The prices are also much more favourable for essentials such as food, rent, and entertainment which means that this is a great place to work if you want to boost the health of your savings account.

The low cost of living and slow pace of life mean that many expats that come to the city find it hard to leave and often choose to start a family here.

‌Tianjin is like the ‘goldie locks’ of Chinese cities. It’s not too big or small, not too hot or cold, not too Westernised or too Chinese, but just right. If you’re looking for a place to go and party all weekend then maybe it’s not right for you, but if you’re looking for a laidback city with lots of culture and the opportunity to learn Chinese then Tianjin is perfect for you.

Check out my video ‘Getting To Know Tianjin’ to find out more…