"Tianjin" Tianjin by mafi_moya

Tianjin Travel Guide: 184 reviews and 567 photos

Tianjin is a somewhat ignored city in Northeast China - an industrial metropolis with a strong colonial influence. Only about an hour's train journey from the capital Beijing it tends to get overshadowed by its famous neighbour. Which is a shame because, while it's no highlight of a trip to China, it is an interesting place and slower paced and more spacious than crowded Beijing. It comes as a huge surprise to find out that it's a city of about 5 million - not as big as Beijing but a major city by any standards.

Located right by the sea, it was an important port for colonial powers and was fought over by the French, British and Japanese and was the scene of much fighting during the Boxer Rebellion. The Treaty of Tianjin in 1858 opened China up to foreigners - the most famous repercussion of which was the opium trade. Today the port is not as prominent as it once was - overtaken in importance by textiles and other production industries - but the old colonial buildings and charms remain. In parts of the city, walking the streets can be like stepping back in time to 19th century London or Paris... with a strong Chinese influence of course!

Last visit to Tianjin: Jan 2003
Intro Updated Nov 5, 2003
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Reviews (2)

Food Street Restaurants (2)

Food Street (Shipin Jie) is like a shopping mall, only full of food. There are two levels and about 50 restaurants, all... more travel advice

An empty winter street in Tianjin - Tianjin

Delicious Dumplings! Restaurants (2)

Steamed dumplings containing pork and peanut, or seafood, are available elsewhere but by far the nicest that I tasted... more travel advice

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Confucius Jan 10, 2004 at 1:36 AM

Gou Bu Li baozi and 18th Street dough twists are the most famous foods in Tianjin. Although Gou Bu Li now has chain restaurants in Beijing, we like to go to Tianjin for the original.