EXPERIENCE TIANJIN'S TOP THINGS TO DO WITH A STAY IN A LUXURY SERVICED APARTMENT
Welcome to Tianjin in China, a major trading port on the shores of the Yellow Sea and the commercial gateway to China's capital, Beijing. Tianjin has played a role in the growth of China since the days of the Mongol dynasty in the 14th Century, and today is a commercial hub for companies from China and around the world, made even more appealing by its special economic development zones. Beyond business, Tianjin has a wealth of wonders to offer the first time visitor, including architectural marvels, fabulous historical sights and newly minted attractions. Explore the best of Tianjin when you choose to stay in either of Frasers Hospitality's two Tianjin hotels, offering luxury serviced apartments.
FRASER PLACE TIANJIN BINHAI
Located in the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA), Fraser Place Binhai Tianjin offers stylish contemporary living for executives and their families travelling to Tianjin for a short or extended stay. The property's 224 Gold-Standard serviced apartments feature tasteful, spacious interiors, and guests have access to the property's indoor swimming pool, fitness centre and smart meeting facilities. A free shuttle bus makes getting to and from the property easy.
STAYING IN TIANJIN
Tianjin may not spring to mind as the first place to see when visiting China, but northern China's largest port city is a real and relatively undiscovered jewel. Only 30-minutes by high-speed rail from Beijing, Tianjin benefits from its proximity to China's capital in cosmopolitan culture, historical sights, astonishing architectural wonders and contemporary style.
In some ways, Tianjin is like a blend of Beijing and Shanghai, without the crowds. Here, you can see beautiful examples of European-style architecture leftover from the days of the Qing dynasty, dine on the best cuisine from all across China and the region, and visit a wonderfully preserved section of the Great Wall of China without having to fight the crowds. There are temples, mosques and churches aplenty, galleries, museums and entire streets given over to shopping and of course, there are the beautiful banks of the Hai River, that saw significant rejuvenation as part of Tianjin's involvement in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
THE TOP THINGS TO DO IN TIANJIN
Whether staying in your serviced apartment in Tianjin for a short or extended stay, there's plenty to see and do. Wander or cycle around wudadao - the Five Great Avenues - an area of beautiful European architecture and upscale homes. Follow your nose to some of Tianjin's best food streets and eateries, trying local favourites and delights from around China and the world. Go for a nighttime stroll along the waterfront through HaiHe Cultural Square. Experience the Great Wall of China without the tourists with a day trip to the wall accessed via Huangyaguan Pass. Tour some of Tianjin's modern architectural marvels, including the awe-inspiring Tianjin Binhai Library.
THE FIVE GREAT AVENUES
Tianjin has a fascinating history and interaction with foreign powers that have inevitably left their indelible mark on Tianjin's cityscape. In the 1800s under the Qing dynasty, the French and the British were allowed to establish concessions in Tianjin, and later other countries including Russia, Japan, Italy and Germany followed suit. Fast forward to today and the arresting beauty of Tianjin's wudadao area - which translates as 'the Five Great Avenues' is mainly due to the marvellous examples of European architecture leftover from colonial times and the early 20th Century. The avenues are a fantastic place to take an afternoon walk and grab a coffee in one of the area's elegant cafes, soaking up the atmosphere. To get to wudadao from your serviced apartments in Nankai, take the metro to Xiaobailou station.
TIANJIN'S BEST DINING
With over 12 million people to feed, Tianjin has a fabulous food and dining scene, from hole-in-the-wall eateries to street stalls and western sit down restaurants. Some of Tianjin's best food options can be found within a short metro ride of your serviced apartments. For cheap local eats all day long, head to Nanshi Food Street. Located in the busiest section of downtown Tianjin, Nanshi Food Street is a three-story food lovers heaven where you can get pretty much anything you'd like, from spicy hotpots from Hunan to flavourful local dishes and even vegan options. Grab some malt candy; it's so good! For upscale dining, Brasserie FLO is a French restaurant serving delightfully authentic French cuisine in the city’s Italian concession area.
TIANJIN AT NIGHT
The waterfront along the Hai River received a facelift in preparation for the 2008 Summer Olympics when Tianjin hosted several sports for the Beijing games. Today, the area around HaiHe Cultural Square in the city centre is one of the best places to experience Tianjin's riverside life at night. People hang out by the riverside with friends and family after work, head to some of the nearby restaurants and take in the European-style buildings lit up with artfully placed lighting. There are around two-thousand light installations throughout the square all designed to inspire and delight. Wander the boutique night stalls and afterwards, head over to the nearby Ancient Culture Street for a late dinner.
THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA... WITHOUT THE CROWDS
A short day trip from Tianjin to the Huangyaguan Pass about 2 hours north of your serviced apartments in Tianjin brings you to a wonderfully preserved section of the Great Wall of China with one notable difference; you're likely to be the only one there. While most tourists access the Great Wall from nearer Beijing, the Huangyaguan Pass section is a beautifully preserved and relatively unknown access point to one of the world's ancient wonders. The route along the wall here is slightly more complicated, so it's best to come prepared with a daypack, sunscreen, a jacket and sturdy walking shoes. Walking along the wall is like stepping back in time, you'll feel the history swirling around your feet.
TIANJIN'S ARCHITECTURE ON SHOW
As much as Tianjin's Qing-era European buildings impress and the city's temples delight, it's Tianjin's modern architectural marvels that wow. The city is home to some spectacular public buildings that are well worth your time to explore, all located a relatively short metro journey from your serviced apartment in Tianjin. The first stop on an architectural tour of Tianjin is the Tianjin Binhai Library. With its spherical central auditorium and inverted cascading shelves of books rising overhead, the interior is something more reminiscent of something out of a science fiction novel. The five-level structure integrates reading rooms, education facilities, an auditorium and two rooftop patios for functions.
Another building well worth a visit is the new National Maritime Museum of China, which held its soft opening in 2019. The structure looks something like the upturned hulls of ships, coral and an outstretched hand extending into the sea combined, and is due to open late 2020.
GETTING TO AND GETTING AROUND TIANJIN
Arriving at your serviced apartments in Nankai or Binhai in Tianjin is relatively easy; most signage for public transport is in English as well as simplified Chinese. For guests travelling to Tianjin from Beijing, the Beijing-Tianjin High-Speed Train departs Beijing's South Railway Station every 15-minutes between 6am and 11pm daily and takes approximately 30 minutes to reach West Railway Station and 50-minutes to reach Binhai Railway Station.
If arriving in Tianjin by air to Tianjin Binhai International Airport, take metro line 2 towards the city or for Binhai, take Jinbin Light Rail Line 9.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the best way to get around in Tianjin?
Tianjin is connected by an extensive metro railway, city buses, and taxis. The super fast bullet train to Beijing takes approximately 30 minutes.
What is Tianjin known for?
Tianjin is known for its proximity to the Chinese capital of Beijing, as a major port and commercial shipping hub, and for its culture and lifestyle.
What are the top 5 things to do in Tianjin?
Tianjin is a fascinating city with plenty to see and do, including Dule Temple, The Five Great Avenues, the Drum Tower of Nanjing, the Eastern Qing Tombs and the Great Wall of China.
When is the best time to go to Tianjin?
Tianjin has four distinct seasons, with cold winters and hot and humid summers. Accordingly, the best time to visit Tianjin is during the autumn (from September to early November) and the spring (from April to the end of May).
Where is the best area to stay in Tianjin?
Some of the best areas to stay in Tianjin include the Nankai district, Binhai, Heping and Hedong.
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