Tianjin accommodation from AU$74

Tianjin’s main area and old city are on the banks of the Hai River, also called the ‘mother river’ of Tianjin. In the mid 1800s, the city was a treaty port, and the Chinese government gave several countries concession territories. The concessions led to the mix of different architecture from all around the world that you’ll find throughout the city. Binhai New Area is a separate part of Tianjin, located east of the city on the coast of the Bohai Sea.

Things to do

See the city from up above with a ride on the Tianjin Eye – the only Ferris wheel in the world to be built over a bridge.

Visit a local temple like the Dule Temple or the Temple of Great Compassion, both Buddhist temples. If you’re still searching for more culture, the Tianjin Museum is in a stunning crescent-shaped futuristic building housing over 150,000 relics and artifacts. Take a trip to the Tianjin Grand Theatre to catch a classic opera show or some music or modern dance.

Check out the Tianjin Water Park, which has 100 hectares of water and 11 tiny islands connected by bridges. Explore the pagodas and gardens on the islands, take a boat out on the water or ride the nearby Ferris wheel. That’s right – Tianjin has more than one Ferris wheel. What a place! The Children’s Amusement Park has a selection of fun rides for the youngsters.

Learn a little about history at the Tianjin Binhai Aircraft Carrier Theme Park, where you can explore the Soviet Aircraft Carrier Kiev, a huge aircraft carrier that served the Soviet and Russian navies between 1975 and 1993. Now it’s forever docked in the harbour and open to the public as an exhibition and hotel.

The Great Wall of China is one of the country’s most famous attractions, and you can see a piece of it at Huangya Pass, 150 km north of Tianjin. Built on a mountain ridge, it has some powerful views if you don’t mind a bit of a hike.

Of course, you can always just chill out in Tianjin with some shopping on Binjiang Dao Shopping Street or Heping Lu Shopping Street, or have a meal in a cafe or restaurant. After dark, Tianjin has some popular bars and clubs with a whole range of music to pick from.

Getting here

We have cheap flights to Tianjin to get you there for less, so book one to go with your Tianjin accommodation and get ready to discover and enjoy both the past and the present in China.