How many days should I spend in Tianjin?
1 to 2 days are sufficient for a Tianjin tour package, covering almost all the major attractions. Spend one day taking a city walking tour that includes the Five Great Avenues, Porcelain House, Ancient Culture Street, Tianjin Eye, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Italian Style Street, and ends with a relaxing cruise along the Haihe River. If you have an extra day, add the Tianjin Museum, Jingyuan Garden, and suburban Shi’s Courtyard. With our carefully curated 1- or 2-day itinerary, you’ll experience the best of the city comprehensively and worry-free. We can also customize a private Tianjin tour itinerary to your preferences.
What is the best time to visit Tianjin?
The best visiting time is from March to May, when the weather is mild and flowers are in full bloom, and from September to November, when it’s cool and the leaves turn vibrant colors – these are the most scenic periods of the year. For clothing, you can pack T-shirts, trousers, plus a light windbreaker. However, it’s better to avoid the National Day holiday from October 1st to 7th as it may get very crowded at popular scenic areas.
From June to August, it’s hot and rainy, with the hottest month of July often exceeding 30°C (86°F). Still, you can hit the beach at Dongjiang Bay and enjoy the night markets. From December to February, it’s cold and dry, with temperatures often dropping below 0°C (32°F). Yet you can spot wintering gulls and see snow dusting the exotic structures along the Five Great Avenues - an unexpected winter delight.
How to get to Tianjin from Beijing?
The most convenient way for a Beijing to Tianjin trip is by bullet train, which takes about 0.5 to 1 hour. Around 300 trains are running daily from 06:00 to 23:00, with first-class tickets priced CNY 88-108 (USD 13-16). It is also possible to take a bus from Beijing Capital Airport to Tianjin Tongsha passenger Station, which operates from 6:30 to 21:30 every 1.5 hours and costs about CNY 120 (USD 18) per person. If you prefer to take a taxi, say from Tiananmen Square to Tianjin Railway Station, it’s about 120 to 140 kilometers (75 to 87 miles), takes around two hours, and usually costs CNY 400-600 (USD 58-88).
How to go from Tianjin Cruise Port to downtown?
Tianjin International Cruise Home Port is located southeast of the city center, approximately 70 to 80 kilometers (44 to 50 miles) away. The official direct bus is the most hassle-free way to whisk you to downtown’s major transport hubs like the train station or airport, taking about 1 hour, with the ticket price ranging from CNY 35-40 (USD 5-6) per person. If you expect a more budget-friendly alternative, you can take Bus 513 to MTR Citizens’ Square Station, then transfer to Metro Line 9 to reach the city center. The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours and costs around CNY 11 (USD 1.6) per person. If you’re traveling with lots of luggage, taking a taxi is the most convenient option, which typically takes 1 hour and costs CNY 160-220 (USD 23-32).
Is Tianjin walkable?
It’s truly a paradise for city walks. Major sights in the downtown area, such as the Tianjin Eye, Five Great Avenues, and Italian Style Street, are only 2 to 3 kilometers (1 to 2 miles) apart from one another. By following the smooth and wide greenways along the Haihe River or traveling through the old streets, you can easily move from one place to the next. Moreover, places like the Five Great Avenues feature convenient facilities like garden rest areas and smart public toilets, enhancing the walking experience. Of course, it is still recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes.
How far is the Great Wall from Tianjin?
From downtown Tianjin, the nearest section is the Huangyaguan Great Wall, about 120 to 145 kilometers (75 to 90 miles) away, which takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours by car. If you want to reach the more renowned Mutianyu or Badaling Great Wall in Beijing, the distance is about 160 to 200 kilometers (99 to 124 miles), requiring at least 2.5 to 3 hours under normal traffic conditions. The high-speed train combined with a bus or coach can also reach the three sections, but the transfers are complicated and time-consuming. You can find us to tailor a private Tianjin tour to Great Wall, complete with worry-free private transfers and a professional English-speaking guide.
How safe is Tianjin?
It is generally very safe in Tianjin. Public security is well maintained, violent crime is extremely rare, and in popular tourist areas such as the Ancient Culture Street and the Tianjin Eye, the police provide reliable protection through a combination of foot patrols, vehicle patrols, and video surveillance. Moreover, the city has also established a multilingual service system to facilitate international tourists. However, as a popular tourist city, in crowded places, you still need to be cautious of pickpockets. When crossing the road, it’s better to strictly follow the traffic signals, as a few vehicles may fail to give way to pedestrians.
What is Tianjin famous for food?
There are three iconic delicacies: steamed buns with savory broth and exactly 18 pleats, fried dough twists that are crunchy and fragrant with osmanthus, and deep-fried glutinous rice cakes with a red bean paste filling. Also, locals like to have the Chinese savory crepe for breakfast. Spread batter on an iron griddle to form a thin crepe, top with egg and scallions, then flip, brush with sweet bean sauce and fermented tofu, fill with fried dough stickers or a crispy cracker, fold in half, and a delicious treat is ready. Xibei Corner, Nanshi Food Street, and the Ancient Culture Street are great places to hunt down these authentic flavors.
