The first time for foreigners to visit Tianjin
Tianjin, a port city in northern China, is a blend of Chinese and Western cultures, attracting tourists from all over the world with its rich historical sites, unique architectural style, attractive food and snacks, and convenient transportation network. The following is a detailed guide to help foreign friends visiting Tianjin for the first time to better understand the city and plan a pleasant trip.
First, prepare for the trip
Visa and entry
Apply for a Chinese visa in advance, depending on your nationality. The specific requirements and procedures for visa application can be found on the official website of the Chinese Embassy or consulate in your country.
Transportation reservation
Air tickets: Book a return flight to Tianjin. Tianjin Binhai International Airport connects many cities at home and abroad, and the transportation is very convenient.
Hotels: Based on personal preference and budget, book in advance for hotels located in the city center or easily accessible areas. It is recommended to choose accommodation close to the main attractions, such as the Five Avenues, the Italian zone, easy to visit.
Money and payments
Tianjin uses RMB (CNY). Most places support mobile payments, such as Alipay, wechat Pay, etc., but it is recommended to carry some cash for emergencies.
communication
Consider buying a mobile roaming plan or a local data sim card to access the Internet and make calls from your mobile phone.
Download utility APP
It is recommended to download a map APP(such as Amap) to plan your trip and check the distance between locations and modes of transportation.
Second, must visit the scenic spot recommendation
Tianjin five Avenue cultural tourism area
Add: No.83 Chongqing Road, Heping District, Tianjin
Highlights: Five Avenues brings together more than 2,000 buildings of various styles and styles from Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and other countries, known as the “World Architecture Expo”. Walking here, as if through the early 20th century European town, feel the precipitation of history.
Suggestion: Rent a bicycle to tour, or take a carriage tour, experience a different style. You can also visit the former homes of celebrities and learn the historical stories behind them.
Ancient Culture Street (Nanshi Food Street)
Address: Dongmenwai, Northeast corner, Nankai District, Tianjin
Highlights: This is the best place to experience Tianjin’s traditional culture, with traditional handicraft shops such as Yangliuqing New Year Pictures and clay figurine Zhang CAI sculptures, as well as numerous gourmet snack bars. Tianhou Palace is a landmark building in the ancient culture street, you can understand the Mazu culture inheritance in Tianjin.
Suggestions: Try authentic Tianjin snacks, such as jianbing fruit, Erduoyan fried cake, mahua, etc., to feel the food culture of Tianjin.
Italian zone
Address: Hebei District, Tianjin
Highlights: Originally an Italian concession, it now retains a large number of Italian-style buildings and is the only concentration of Italian culture in Asia. Iconic buildings such as Piazza Marco Polo and Piazza Dante are full of exotic charm.
Suggestion: Walk on the street, feel the strong Italian cultural atmosphere, you can also taste Italian food in the western restaurants and cafes on the street.
Tianjin Eye (Yongle Bridge Ferris Wheel)
Address: Yongle Bridge, Sancha River Mouth, Hongqiao District, Tianjin
Highlights: It is the only Ferris wheel built on a bridge in the world and is one of the landmarks of Tianjin. Riding the Ferris wheel can overlook the beautiful scenery of Tianjin city, especially at night, the bright lights are very spectacular.
Suggestion: Go in the evening to enjoy the city view during the day, and then wait for night to fall to experience the bright night view of Tianjin Eye.
National Marine Museum
Address: Binhai Tourism Zone, Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City, Binhai New Area, Tianjin
Highlights: It is a national comprehensive Marine museum integrating collection, display, research and education, suitable for tourists interested in Marine culture.
Advice: Buy tickets online in advance, arrange the tour time reasonably, and understand the rich knowledge of the ocean.
Third, food recommendation
Chinese hamburger
Features: The representative of Tianjin breakfast, the thin crust wrapped in fresh eggs, green onion and sweet sauce, the taste is crisp and delicious.
Recommended location: Food stalls or shops in Ancient Culture Street, Nanshi Food Street and other places.
Erduoyan fried cake
Features: glutinous rice as the skin, red beans, white sugar fried filling, fried with sesame oil, sweet and delicious.
Recommended location: Traditional snack bar in Ancient Culture Street, Nanshi Food Street and other places.
Goubuli steamed bun
Features: thin filling, delicious taste, fat but not greasy.
Recommended location: Major time-honored bun shops, such as Goubuli Headquarters.
Tianjin twist
Features: Exquisite selection of materials, sophisticated technology, fragrant, crisp, sweet, is the traditional name of Tianjin.
Recommended location: major specialty stores or supermarkets.
Fourth, itinerary planning advice
Three day Tour Recommended Itinerary:
Day 1:
Morning: Tour Tianjin Five Avenue Cultural tourism area, visit the former residences of celebrities, feel the historical precipitation.
Noon: Try Tianjin cuisine at a restaurant near Five Avenues.
Afternoon: Head to the Italian zone and stroll the streets for an exotic feel.
Evening: Dine near the Tianjin Eye, then ride the Ferris wheel for a night view of Tianjin.
Day two:
Morning: Visit the ancient Culture Street, buy Tianjin special handicrafts, taste authentic snacks.
Noon: Try more food at Nanshi Food Street.
Afternoon: Go to Tianjin Museum or Natural History Museum to learn about Tianjin’s history and culture.
Evening: Take a boat ride at Haihe Ferry Terminal and enjoy the night view of Haihe River.
Day 3:
Morning: Go to Binhai New Area, visit the National Marine Museum, learn about Marine culture.
Noon: Enjoy a seafood feast in Binhai New Area.
Afternoon: Visit the aircraft carrier theme park (if interested) to get a feel for military culture.
Evening: Return to the city, end the pleasant trip to Tianjin.
Fifth. Practical tips
Transportation trip
Covering major business districts and tourist attractions, the Tianjin Metro is a convenient way to get around.
The bus routes are dense and the fares are affordable, which is also a good choice.
Taxis and online car hailing are also very convenient, but pay attention to choosing a regular vehicle.
Climate and dress
Tianjin has a temperate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are cool enough for outdoor activities. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, so be prepared for sun protection and heat. Winter (December to February) is cold and dry, so bring warm clothing.
Verbal communication
Tianjin is an international city and most of the attractions and restaurants are available in English. You can also enlist the help of local people if you need it.
Safety tips
Take care of your belongings, especially in crowded places.
Comply with local laws and regulations and scenic area regulations, civilized travel.
Other suggestions
Restaurants and public places in Tianjin may not provide enough paper towels, it is recommended to bring your own paper towels.
The dialect of Tianjin (Tianjin Dialect) may be somewhat different from Mandarin, but most people can speak Mandarin and communication is not a problem.
Through the above guideline, I believe you can better plan your first visit to Tianjin and feel the unique charm and profound heritage of this city. Wish you a pleasant trip!
