Joanna James
Renowned as one of the largest port cities in the north of the country, Tianjin is a holiday hotspot like no other in the Chinese Republic. From iconic heritage sites to breathtaking palaces, here are 5 sites every tourist must visit during a trip to Tianjin.
Often compared to the London Eye although it is far more impressive, the Eye of Tianjin should be your first sightseeing pit stop upon arriving in the city. This larger-than-life Ferris wheel not only offers visitors panoramic views of the city but is also the only Ferris wheel in the world to have been constructed on a bridge. The 30-minute ride on board one of the viewing pods provides tourists with a bird's eye view of Tianjin and most of its districts. Considered one of China's ingenious engineering feats, the Eye of Tianjin is 110m in diameter and 120m high. Allowing travellers the chance to gaze upon precincts located 40km away from the city, the best time to take a spin on this giant Ferris wheel is during the daylight hours.
There's no reason to stay in line for tickets to walk the Beijing stretch of the Great Wall of China, as Tianjin also offers tourists access to the Huangya Pass. Far from the hustle and bustle of more crowded portions of the only manmade structure visible from space, this tranquil section of the wall also encompasses the East Mountain. Towering above the surrounding landscape at a height of 738m, the Huangya Pass portion is home to sixteen towers and 14 watchtowers. The Music Wall is also part of this section of the wall and interesting sounds are expelled from the wall at various times of the day.
Tipped to be one of the most sacred places of worship among Tianjin's Taoist temples, the Tianhou Palace is a mammoth structure dedicated to the Queen of Heaven. The Goddess Tianhou is among the most revered of the deities in the Chinese pantheon and it is made clear with this staggering temple compound located down Ancient Cultural Street. An architectural marvel for the ages, the complex was once called Xiaozhigu Tianfei Palace and even Tianfei Palace. Dating back to 1326, by the rulers of the Yuan Dynasty, it is a must-experience religious hub in Tianjin.
Those based at Ascott TEDA MSD Tianjin or any other corporate apartments in Tianjin will find that this is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy local culinary delights after a day of sightseeing. Situated in what is called the Concession region, the Italian Style Street has stood in this spot for centuries but now plays host to more than 200 bars, restaurants and boutiques.
Called Tianjin's own version of Shanghai's Bund, the Tianjin Haihe Cultural Square is another must-experience cultural hub where one can not only enjoy long walks in the evening but also go for a swim. Located opposite the Tianjin Railway Station this scenic region of Tianjin is also loved by avid skaters.
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 passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
