What to do in Tianjin?

[h0rniieb0i]

Hi guys, will be flying off to tianjin for a study trip of around 5weeks. Wondering if any bros here can help out by recommending some places to visit? Shopping/amusement/food/sightseeing.

Thanks!

 

[Careful Investor]

Do you read Chinese? If yes, the following are the places of interest in Tianjin :

The following are in Tianjin city :
五大道-异国风情建筑 (you can take horse carriage from the football stadium to go one round, there are about 5 avenues), nothing fantastic

瓷房子 - a small house plastered with ceramics pieces. Was voted the top 10 best design museum in the world. Can take a look if you like China pottery, ceramics, furniture, etc.

古文化街- for China style curios, souvenirs, antiques, etc. So so.

南市食品街 - local products are 十八街麻花，耳朵饼，狗不理包子，小宝栗子 (personally I don't like all of them).

滨江道，和平区步行街 - shopping, nothing fantastic。 In China, most cities have 步行街 which are basically pedestrian street shopping.

The following are in Tianjin TEDA area, Tanggu area :
洋货市场 - fake bags, fake watches, fake belts, etc. The stalls anyhow quote prices, so have to bargain. Sian after a while. Close at 6 pm daily.

外滩 - riverside views, 步行街, eateries, nothing fantastic.

Further away :
佛罗伦萨小镇 - outlet mall. Prices are not really cheap. Italian ambiance.

Tianjin is much bigger than Singapore, but there are not much tourist attractions. Tourists mainly visit as a day trip from Beijing. From TEDA & Tanggu area to Tianjin city, it is about 1/2 hr by cab, or 1 hr by light rail + cab.

Nothing much to do in Tianjin really. You will get bored probably after 2 days. However, you can consider taking the bullet train to Beijing where you have more choices. Bullet train from Tianjin city to Beijing South Station takes only 1/2 hr, approx RMB58 (if I remember correctly). From TEDA/Tanggu, it will take 45 min. From Beijing South Station, take a cab or MRT about 1/2 hr to reach Beijing main area. You are more spoilt for choices in Beijing.

 

[Careful Investor]

Can try 东方之珠洗浴中心 - pay 1 time entry (I think around RMB200) can stay there for as long as you like. Bathing, massage (extra charge), 1 time buffet meal, watch TV, relaxation, etc. It is very popular during winter months and you can see families with kids hanging there for whole day.

For this 东方之珠洗浴中心, understand it is separate sections for males and females, 东方之珠 is a big establishment in Tianjin, so don't think there is any hanky panky. But there are many others which may not be so decent. Personally I have never been there before, cos don't like being naked in presence of so many people. But some of my colleagues can spend one whole day there You may want to try their KTV, it is pretty cheap, also no hanky panky.

 

[lcpteck]

Anything new in 2013? Will be traveling around October period (after golden week) for 3 nights. First time to Tianjin, just to see see look look.

 

[dilphinus]

I was in Tianjin for a weekend. Nothing much. Take the high speed train to Beijing.

 

[lcpteck]

I was in Tianjin for a weekend. Nothing much. Take the high speed train to Beijing.

Okay, probably spend 1 or 2 nights in Beijing then. Will only be there for 3 nights.

 

[dilphinus]

Okay, probably spend 1 or 2 nights in Beijing then. Will only be there for 3 nights.

If u only have four days, would suggest you skip Tianjin altogether. There's much more stuff to see and do in Beijing and four days is definitely insufficient. The high speed train takes about half an hour or less.

 

[lcpteck]

If u only have four days, would suggest you skip Tianjin altogether. There's much more stuff to see and do in Beijing and four days is definitely insufficient. The high speed train takes about half an hour or less.

Ok, thanks for the heads up. Got a cheap ticket from the Scoot sale so decided to head up there. Hotels are definitely cheaper than Beijing, so might stay in Tianjin and do day trips to Beijing. We'll see...

 

[dilphinus]

Not worth staying in Tianjin and making day trips. Not much cost savings in terms of time also. There are cheap hotels in Beijing. Ibis, crystal orange, etc.

 

[lcpteck]

Will be staying in Beijing for first 2 nights and last night in Tianjin as I have an early morning flight back.

 

[kuehpeng]

Went to Tianjin for 2days 1 night, and these are some of the places i would recommend.

1. Italy Street - very beautiful place, very europe-ish. there are small shophouses and many scenic places for you to take pictures of

2. Eye of Tianjin - Ferris wheel and known to be the biggest in china. its pricey but worth.

3. Food street - pretty useless because they sell the same thing and its quite overpriced. but if you are a tourist, can go and take a look.

 

[kuehpeng]

Went to Tianjin for 2days 1 night, and these are some of the places i would recommend.

1. Italy Street - very beautiful place, very europe-ish. there are small shophouses and many scenic places for you to take pictures of

2. Eye of Tianjin - Ferris wheel and known to be the biggest in china. its pricey but worth.

3. Food street - pretty useless because they sell the same thing and its quite overpriced. but if you are a tourist, can go and take a look.

you can download this app called dianping. very useful

 

[lcpteck]

Haven't had the chance to visit much areas as I had a short stay in Tianjin. Will visit if going Beijing again.

 

[chrisvin]

chestnuts should be great there as foodstuff