Joanna James
A port city in China, Tianjin has a rich history while also featuring modern allures which make it a quite fascinating destination to explore. From ancient temples and western architecture to idyllic parks and delectable cuisine, there is something new to discover each time you venture here.
Dating back to the Ming Dynasty, the ancient Tianjin Confucian Temple is well worth a visit on a sightseeing tour. Showcasing distinctive traditional architecture, this site, in fact, has an 18th-century county temple on the west side and a 15th-century provincial temple on the east. Those exploring this attraction will come across three courtyards with the Hall of Great Achievement to be found in the central courtyard. Other highlights include the Apricot Pavilion, goldfish ponds and exhibits on the history of Confucianism which lend to the site's charm.
Locally known as "Wu Da Dao", the Five Great Avenues can be found in the Heping District near downtown Tianjin; accommodation options within easy reach of the metro provide easy access to such parts of the city. Named after five cities in China, the five parallel roads in this area are home to more than 200 buildings featuring diverse European architectural styles be it German, British, French, Spanish or Italian; you will find structures with Romantic, Greek, Gothic and Renaissance style designs too. To find out more, you can head to the History Museum of the Five Avenues when here.
If you are looking for a spot to get away from the bustling city and enjoy some peace and quiet, then Taifeng Park is worth heading to. An ideal place for relaxation and some fun recreation with the whole family, this park is a short drive from the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA) home to properties like Ascott TEDA MSD Tianjin. With its idyllic green spaces and lake, Taifeng Park is a popular place for some morning exercise, strolls during the day or to just unwind in the evenings and catch a sunset; it's also a well-known spot to fly kites which can be purchased here too.
Towering above the cityscape, the Tianjin Eye is a huge Ferris wheel on Yongle Bridge above the Hai River. It features 48 passenger capsules and the ride takes around 30 minutes to complete; with a height reaching 120 metres, you can expect some truly breathtaking vistas from the highest point! From seeing boats along the river and the vast city in the day to witnessing Tianjin transform at night, there is much to take in whenever you take a ride.
Foodies will love a visit to Nanshi Food Street which is a huge indoor mall with a diverse range of vendors offering all manner of delectable delights including local specialities. Among the popular street food in Tianjin you can find here are ear-hole fried cake, steamed stuffed buns called "goubuli" and fried dough twists referred to as "mahua". You can walk around and try some of the different dishes which are freshly prepared, while you do get packaged food that you can take back home too.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a pas...
