天津市
The port for Beijing, with concession-era streets and serious breakfast culture
Why this place
Tianjin is a municipality the size of a province, but its centre is a compact treaty-port town of European banks and villas along the Hai River, built between 1860 and 1940. It is 30 minutes from Beijing by high-speed rail, which makes it the best day trip from the capital — and its breakfast is better than Beijing's.
What to see
- The Five Great Avenues (Wudadao) and their colonial villas
- The Hai River promenade and the Italian Style Area
- Ancient Culture Street and the Confucian temple
- The Tianjin Eye on its bridge over the river
What to eat
- Jianbing guozi, the mung-bean breakfast crepe, eaten before 9am
- Goubuli baozi, and the local mahua fried dough
How to plan
One full day from Beijing, or two if you want the museums.
Best time
April–May and September–October
HSKHSK 2
Cities 1
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