Population: The Total Urban Population of Tianjin City Province counts around 12.3 Million (12,281,600) and the City of Tianjin as about the 6Th largest City in population size within China.
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Altogether Tianjin is known as a tourist destination for a wide variety of entertainments. Naturally, the "Old City" with its lingering European landmarks now combined with modernity is renowned and continuously popular. Other worthwhile sights and sounds include the seaboard and a variety of beaches for swimming and related entertainment. To the north side of the City one can venture into the foothills and mountains, where one can enjoy hiking and make visits to the world renowned Great Wall of China.
For your convenience, sperate Chapters have been created to guide you along the City Landmarks, wheras a seperate Chapter explains how to sight-see in the rural area's and reach the Great Wall of China for some spectacular hiking and outdoors activity.
Public Transport in Tianjin
TIANJIN BUS STATION:
No information available.
Tianjin has its very own International Airport as well as a two Railroad Stations, one of them connected to the high-speed railway system.
TIANJIN CITY AIRPORT:
Since the "Olympic Year" 2008, the City of Tianjin has its very own airport, independent of its larger neighbor the city of Beijing with its huge Capital International Airport. The airport for Tianjin City is Tianjin Binhai International Airport (天津滨海国际机场)(IATA: TSN) which is situated in the Donglin District, due north-east of the "Old City" of Tianjin at a comfortable distance. As its name indicates Binhai International Airport services international passenger flights to a number of destinations, but as with the city and its adjoining port, it is also a major air cargo and transportation hub, distributing cargoes across the continent as well as to Tianjin-Beijing and larger north-east China.
Recently enlarged, and built to closely resemble the internationally famous Schiphol Airport in The Netherlands, the current Binhai International Airport is already three times larger than it was when starting operations in the year 2008. The current capacity of the airport is an estimated 40 million passngers, who arrive at a fully modern terminal of a whapping 500 thousand square meters. With a second runway constructed in 2009 the yearly number of passengers handled has been over 10 million.
Airlines with International flights serving Tianjin Binhai International Airport:
- Air China
- Asiana
- China Eastern Airlines
- EVA Air
- Japan Airlines
- Korean Air
- Scoot
- Tianjin Airlines
- TransAsia Airways
- Vladivostok Air
Airlines with National and Regional flights serving Tianjin Binhai International Airport:
- Air China
- Beijing Capital Airlines
- Chengdu Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- China Express Airlines
- China Southern Airlines
- Hainan Airlines
- Juneyao Airlines
- Lucky Air
- Okay Airways
- Shandong Airlines
- Shanghai Airlines
- Shenzen Airlines
- Sichuan Airlines
- Spring Airlines
- Tianjin Airlines
- West Air
- Xiamen Airlines
Read the Complete Information on Tianjin Binhai International Airport - Click through to:
What today is Tianjin City was originally but a rural area of little signifance, accept for its good fishing and the transport of sea and land produce to the cities and towns of the well populated coastline. The City of Beijing did exist but did not have much importance as it only became the Capital of China many centuries later.
The area only gained particular importance during the Sui Dynasty (581 AD - 618 AD), when the various waterways of China were connected into the system of the Grand Canal, which at the time reached as far north as the Tianjin Regions and its rivers. Its auspicious location increased its importance as connection between the hinterland and the Grand Canal in the west and the open sea's to the east.
Although the Grand Canal gained enormously in importance during the later centuries, with the ever increasing demand of the city of Beijing (established as a city in the Northern Song Dynasty and recreated by both the Yuan Dynasty (1272 AD - 1368 AD) and the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD - 1644 AD)), transport of grain, commodities and tribute from the south via the open sea route remained important. As may be noted, during the Yuan Dynasty Era when Beijing was known as Dadu (also: Khanbalik i.e. city of the Khan) and functioned as the Imperial Capital of China, the Grand Canal was not fully operational. While the Grand Canal was being improved and rebuilt, the necessary grain transports sending rice from the rich and fertile Yangtze River in the south had to be diverted to the overseas route. During this era, the reign of Kublai Khan, Tianjin was an important city which gained name as a crucial grain storage point.
During most of the subsequent Ming Dynasty neighboring Beijing was once more the Imperial Capital and the Ming Imperial machine built further on the infra-structure and logistical support bases already well established in the Yuan Dynasty. During the Yongle Reign of the Ming Dynasty, the Grand Canal was finally extended through Tongzhou (now 1 of the 6 outer suburbs of Beijing) to the south-east corner watchtower ("Red Gate" or Dongnan Jiaolou) of the City of Beijing itself. At the same time, Tianjin became the major storage center and supply depot for the city, situated exactly between the north point of the Grand Canal and the sea, from where the grain and tribute ships from the south arrived. Due to its strategic importance, the city of Tianjin was fortified with a defensive city wall and on the coastline at Dagu (Tagu or also Tanggu) a Fortress, garrison and substantial naval base was established.
At the time, there was hardly any international trade. For a long period in the 16th century overseas trade with neighboring nations was entirely forbidden (although smuggling did occur). As a result the coastal area's were harassed and regularly invaded by Japanese Pirates and those who had lost their livelihood when overseas shipping was outlawed. Nevertheless, the overseas grain shipments had to continue to keep the city of Beijing fed and supplied. With its huge population which included the royal house and its 10 thousand eunuch servants as well as some 1000 court ladies, a large flock of Mandarins, Government administrators, Manchu Noble families, literati, soldiers and dancers, artists and other talents this was no easy feat.
Although the first western visitors reached China near the very end of the 16Th Century, Tianjin stayed devout of their influence for many years thereafter. With the first western contacts with China dominated by the Portuguese, who jealously kept out any of their early competitors, the "Middle Kingdom" (ZhongGuo = China) went about its own ways without much interference for well over a century more. The Portuguese contacts were run exclusively through the minute island settlement of Macau, and later through Guangzhou (Canton) in current day Guangdong Province, thus the "first" foreigners traveled through south China and were transported by ways of the Grand Canal to Beijing, never to bother with the nearby port of Tianjin. Throughout the Qing Dynasty Era (1644 AD - 1911 AD), the city of Beijing remained the Capital of China and thus the situation remained largely as before. The only Chinese frustration were the continued religious activities of Jesuit Missionaries who insisted upon converting Chinese subjects to a strange foreign faith which contradicted Chinese traditions in many fundamental ways. The Roman Catholic Church was the first western power to seek In-depth contacts with the Chinese and the Chinese Court, hoping to convert the Nation. Although their middle-men, the Jesuit Priests, brilliantly succeeded in establishing a thorough foothold at court, their presence remained ever contested. The Christian presence remained a fragile one during the first 100 years of these contacts, and by the time of the turn into the 17th century the reigning Kangxi Emperor was thoroughly frustrated by the official communications he received from Rome. Hence, in the years 1703-1705 AD the first Roman Catholic Papal Mission (De Tournon) to China was undertaken in order to resolve differences. Or so the Catholic Church of Rome thought. The Whole mission was bound to be a disaster due to the opposing and entrenched world views set to be colliding.
De Tournon was expelled from China, as were a large number of the Missionaries present within the Capital and the Chinese Provinces, thus ensuring another century of relative seclusion for those within the Empire.
Today's Tianjin is administratively organized as an independent City Province, subordinate directly under the Central Governement of the Peoples Republic of China in the neighboring city, the Capital of Beijing.
The modern city of Tianjin counts 7 urban city districts, 4 suburban districts and an additional 5 rural "districts" the latter divided by status of county or district. In addition, the City of Tianjin has its very own Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA, a special economic zone which apparently has no formal administrative status as such, but is nevertheless administrated in practice as an independent District of the City.
URBAN DISTRICTS:
The urban districts that together form the central city of Tianjin are Heping District, Hedong District, Hexi District, the Nankai District, Hebei District, Hongqiao District with the latest addition being the Binhai New Area.
Taking the old city settlement of Tianjin south of the Nanhai River as the central and downtown area of the Tianjin Metropolis, the urban districts of the city are easily identified by name and location. Immediatly north of the old city lie the districts of Nankai and Hedong. Of these, the Nankai Districts roughly makes up the west part of the city placed on the west bank of the Hai River, whereas Hedong historically makes up the district on the east bank of the same river (Hence its name He-River, Dong=East, meaning "East of the River"). To complete the image of the "old 19th century city" Hebei Districts lies in the center between Nankai and Hedong.
The remaining urban city districts are then scattered around these three oldest districts. Clockwise around these are Beicheng in the North (Bei=North, Cheng=District), Dongli District in the east (Dong=East, Cheng=District) and beyond it Binhai New Area (Dagu Port).
The Binhia New Area encompasses the historic districts centered upon the so-called Dagu Port and its former Fortress which played such a significant role in the 8 Allied Nation invasion of north-east China and Beijing in the 1900 AD - 1901 AD "Boxer War". In a modernized city this port area retains its important economic function.
The Three main Ethnic Groups represented in Tianjin City are the majority Han, the Manchu and the Hui, although Tianjin is a thoroughly modern Chinese City with plenty of migrants. There are many more Nationalities in the city, only in far fewer numbers. The Han make up around 97% of the City population, whereas the Hui Minority Group is next with a puny 2%. The Manchu make up only 0.6% of the population. Remaining groups which can be found are Koreans and Mongolians.
Notably, within Tianjin City Province, there are 2 administratively distinct "Ethnic Townships". The foremost of the two is the Sungezhuang Manchu Ethnic Township (孙各庄满族乡), the second of these is the Miao Peoples Ethnic Minority Village (Miao Zhuang Zhen) found just north of the center of Ninghe County due north-east of downtown Tianjin City.
Tianjin city is a coastal city situated on the Bohai Bay of the Yellow Sea not too far from Beijing. As a result it has a rather temperate, continental monsoonal type climate, with four clearly demarcated seasons.
The average annual temperature is 12.2 Celsius with the lowest in January of -4 Celsius and the highest in July of 18 Celsius. The average annual rainfall is 559.1mm with most rain falling in July and August.
Altogether the best seasons for tourism are spring and autumn. Early spring is windy and dry, as it is in almost all of northern China. These windy days are notorious for bringing down the "Yellow Cloud" i.e. yellow dust blown from the Gobi Desert and the Yellow River Basin. Dust storms are spectacular but unhealthy. Getting drenched in a yellow rain shower will certainly ruin your clothing.
From April on the weather calms and becomes warmer. Springtime temperatures are still pleasant and flowers abound.
In the summer time the temperatures in Tianjin are not as high as in Beijing due to the usually prevailing sea winds but can still reach over 30 degrees Celsius. Later in summer rain becomes frequent and due to the humidity the climate becomes exhausting and sweaty with the only reprieve coming from ocean winds or a visit to the beach or pool.
In autumn the pleasant temperate climate lingers well into September with clear blue skies and lots of sunshine. Winters in Tianjin are slightly more tempered than those in neighboring Beijing. However, do not make too much out of that. Shifting winds from the west bring cold and dry air from Inner-Mongolia usually negating the influence of the sea. When the winds turn and bring air from the Mongolia and Siberia temperatures plummet, snow and sleet is common and the sea eventually freezes over. The sea freeze is a yearly phenomenon which can yield great photo's and footage for visiting tourists.
China Report - Colonialism - Growth of Colonies & Japan after 1801 AD
A Map drawing of the Eurasian continent , parts of North-East Africa and the Middle East in the 19Th Century between 1801 AD and 1900 AD. Focal points are the expansion of western colonial posessions of Portugal, Britain and France, as well as Russia moving from West to East. Labeled seperately is the later Rise of the Empire of Japan in the East.
Included in this Map are the main cities across the continent with their brief histories and events during the 19Th Century. Marked in Colors for clarity are the various colonial and imperialist Nations. As relating to China; special attention is payed to so called Treaty Ports. The First Treaty Ports were forced open by Britain in the year 1841 AD, but counted over 80 in total by the end of the 19Th Century. The most important Treaty Ports in China are marked and described with a short history where the map allows.
Colonialism - 1912 World Map of Colonial Possessions & Trade Routes.
A Map drawing of the World depicting the Colonial Possessions as they were distributed in 1912 AD. Superimposed and marked in colors are subsequent changes in Influences Spheres, colonies and possessions due to World War I ( 1914 AD - 1918 AD).
Included in this Map are the main cities across the continents with their brief histories and events during the late 19Th Century and early 20Th century, where relevant. Marked in Colors for clarity are the various colonial and imperialist Nations. As relating to China; special attention is payed to so called Treaty Ports. The First Treaty Ports were forced open by Britain in the year 1841 AD, but counted over 80 in total by the end of the 19Th Century.
The outlying suburban districts of Tianjin City (Province) are the Jinnan District, Dongli District in the east, Xiqing District in the west, and Beichen District.
These outlying districts vary greatly in appearance as well as functions.
RURAL DISTRICTS:
The two rural districts of Tianjin Municpality are Baodi District and Wuqing District, both situated due north of the downtown area.
Wuqing Districts can be found north-west of Tianjin center, wheras Baodi Districts is the northernmost districts of the City Province.
RURAL COUNTIES:
The last remaining truly rural counties of this urbanized area are Ji County, Jinghai County, Ninghe County. For international travelers and tourists the most interesting of these rural counties is Ji County (Ji Xian), where one can find several remaining sections of the Great Wall of China. Its
Tianjin City Hotels
most famous section is the so called Great Wall at Yellow Cliff Pass (Huangya Guan), which is a considered a fairly remote destination which is however of great interest to true Great Wall of China fanatics. As the Great Wall continues from the coast in the east to pass north of the city of Beijing, many more worthwhile sections of it can be visited and walked in adjoing regions of Hebei Province and Beijing City Province.
Surprisingly, Jinghai county lies immediatlt to the south of the old city center of Tianjin.
Finally, Ninghe county lies far to the north-east of city center proper.
As elsewhere in the nation, the districts and counties of the city are further subdivided into township-level divisions; including the sub-levels of towns, townships, ethnic townships and yet another 100 lesser subdistricts. Notably, within Tianjin City Province, there are 2 administratively distinct "Ethnic Townships". The foremost of the two is the Sungezhuang Manchu Ethnic Township (孙各庄满族乡).
Find out more about the Ethnic Townships of Tianjin City Province in the section:
"Ethnic Minorities in Tianjin". >>>>
China Report - Map of the Great Wall during the Ming Dynasty
Satellite image of China and North-East Asia, with a super-imposed schematic Map of the location and Path of the Great Wall as constructed during the Reign of the Ming Dynasty. Included for reference are City names, geographical features of landscape, Names and locations of Passes on the Great Wall of China.
Tianjin is a large coastal city in north-east China. Situated on the Bohai bay of the Yellow Sea and directly neighboring the national Capital of Beijing, it is a large and well-know port city considered to be the (naval) gateway to the Capital.
To the west Tianjin City Province borders on Beijing City Province. To the east it looks out on the Bohai bay of the Yellow Sea. To the north, the north-east, the south and the south-west Tianjin City Province borders on the much larger and surrounding Hebei Province. Neighboring coastal provinces and destinations within the region are Hebei Province, Liaoning Province and Shandong Province.
Although internationally stil hailed for its international flavor, its history connected to the first foreign settlements in China and the place where Last Emperor Pu Yi went after his forced eviction from the Forbidden City in Beijing (1924), most Chinese recognize Tianjin as a fully modern city, with a considerable industrial base and its very own "Tianjin" Beer brand. For most Chinese Tianjin is almost synonymous with Beijing, except for it local flavors and occasional original styles. Both cities are well connected and Tianjin City has been incorporated in the nationwide high-speed railway system putting Beijing within easy reach. On the high-speed line its only about 30 minutes travel. Highway connections are equalloy well develloped.
Chinese tourists visit the city to get away from the summer heat, enjoy the beaches and move on to the Great Wall of China and other wortwhile sites in the wider regions.
port of rice and grain from southern cities to the Capital. The famous Grand Canal was another major economic impetus connecting life in and around Tianjin with that in the national Capital Beijing.
After its foreign occupation in 1860 AD and subsequent designation as an International Treaty Port , the second largest trading port and financial center in China, Tianjin has a rich and international heritage.
Map of the Gobi Desert & Yellow River Flow
Satellite Image Map of the Gobi Desert Region. Map overviews North-West Xinjiang Autonomous Region, Mongolia, Inner Mongolia and North and North-Eastern China giving a Full Overview of the Gobi Deserts and Yellow River Basin. Map includes country borders, name + location of Cities and Villages (clearly visible).
After the establishment of an "International Quarter" within the city of Tianjin, and the official signing of the "Treaty of Tianjin" in 1858 AD, the city got a heavy make-over. Foreigners ruled the city, foreign companies established themselves and a Foreign Community created its very own residential neighborhood. Tianjin became the biggest financial center in north China, in the nation only second to Shanghai, the worlds largest port and trading center. Overtime, infrastructure was greatly developed and at the end of the 19Th century railroads were developed in China, with many in north China connecting with the all important industrial and financial center of Tianjin.
In the 20th century Tianjin, flourished an "International City" A world important Trading harbor and foreign enclave. A substantial German District with concording distinct European styled architecture remains from this era, although in the huge metropolis of today,
It was not until the reign of Qianlong Emperor (1735 AD - 1796 AD) that the upcoming British with their world Empire started knocking on the door, demanding their rights of entry and (equal) trade (not tribute). Famously the Qianlong Emperor bluntly turned down the British request, after having an uncomfortable first meeting with the chosen British Emmissary in the year 1792 AD.
The Chinese had no need for what they saw as inferior products and wares and furthermore in general the Chinese would rather had been rid of these odd looking ruffians. The Chinese Court was only little aware of the dangers the Foreigners posed.
Not only was their religion seen as harmful and detrimental to social stability, it was duely noted that the British were different sort of westerners altogether. They did not come to preach, but demanded trade rights and even worse diplomatic equality which was a concept that was considered nearly alien inside the Qing Imperial Machine.
Underpinning their insistince, and confirming Chinese suspicions, the British Embassy arrived onboard a powerful warship, notably the 64 gun ship HMS Lion. Furthermore, the Embassy did not travel through the south first, but delivered itself right upon the Imperial Doorstep landing at the Tanggu Ports outside of Tianjin City. It was a clear cut case of what later would be dubbed "gun diplomacy", although at the time the Chinese side was certainly not about to let on to the fact that the message had been read and received.
As if this was not enough to antagonize the Chinese Court, unlike his various Jesuit Predecessors and even the Papal Emmisary, the Earl McArtney made it clear he would not cooperate with Court Protocol, especially the part of Kowtowing (bowing) to the Emperor and hs Throne.
The Brits were sent back home emtyhanded in 1794 AD, with the request to not hurry their return. However, mere hoping would not turn the British away indefinitely. In fact, the McArtney Embassy to Beijing turned
out to be merely a prelude of the woes that would befall the Chinese Qing Empire in the years to come.
It would go too far to discuss the entire development of Chinese contacts with western nations throughout the dawn of what would become the Colonial Era here, however the implications of the process would be great for the City of Tianjin as well as the entire nation.
In 1840 AD, the first "Opium War" between China and the British delivered Hong Kong Island as well as entry into Guangzhou (Canton) to the sparkeling British Crown, leaving China utterly powerless to reply in kind. Although a humiliating "Peace" Treaty was signed, another war triggered in 1856 AD took the festering international conflict right up to the City of Tianjin. Already noted by International traders and warriors as the gateway to the Chinese Capital, the city was bombarded and invaded in 1856 AD forcing China to sign over many of its rights to the port and city of Tianjin to an alliance of western nations led by Britain. It was a shocking new beginning for the city.
this section makes up but a small part of an otherwise modern and very Chinese city.
There is an abundance of Hotels available in Tianjin and Tianjin City Province. The wise things is to sort out your sightseeing destinations within the city or city province, then move on to select your Hotel of choice according to needs, convenience and price range.
Most noted among the Hotels within the Downtown Area of the city are the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall Hotel, Golden Ocean Hotel, Holiday in Tianjin Hotel, Victoria International Hotel, .
A Full listing of Tianjin City Landmarks, Monuments, Hotspots and other sites of importance in alphabetical order. Search through the list to find your Full Report and Photo-Virtual Tour of each monument or landmark within the City, or Region of Tianjin City Province of China (PRC).
Qinhuangdao
Currently, is a popular sea-board city with close economic ties to China's Capital. Tianjin is not only a huge industrial and logistical hub for Beijing but is also considered to be the biggest seaport city in the Bohai Sea area (of the Yellow City) with very wide national and international connections.
As for the sea resources of the City, although seemingly modest in size, Tianjin City Province has a coastal line of 152.8 kilometers and a land boundary line of over 700 kilometers. Although human activity dominates, Tianjin has various beaches which are popular tourist destinations, especially when the sweltering heat overtakes Beijing and adjoining cities and people feel the urge to escape and feel the sea breeze.
Situated but a 120 kilometers from the main logistic and manifactural hub of Beijing, Tianjin Port is the largest comprehensive port in north China, which has established trade ties with more than 300 ports in 170 countries and regions. At present, Tianjin has formed a modern transportation network with the port as its center and the combination of transport means of sea, land and air. The coastal area of Tianjin is rich in fishery, mineral, seawater and tourism resources.
Schematic Map of Hebei Province, and within Beijing and Tianjin City Provinces.
An entirely new phenomenon in Tianjin is the air pollution problem. Ever since China's economic boom started the air quality in Tianjin has suffered, not only due to its own urban development but even more so due to the prevailing western winds which carry dust and industrial winds from the central heartlands and many industrial cities in adjoining provinces over to the cities of Beijing and Tianjin and beyond. (The pollution then travels via Korea and Japan to the western American coastline).
Notorious are the yellow dust storms that arise from the Gobi Desert in the windy springtime. However, especially in recent years the added exhaust from coal fired energy plants and industrial complexes upwind from Tianjin, combined with local car fumes have created an unprecedented situation. As in Beijing, pollution indicators reach dangerous levels every week. In winter time, when there are prolonged periods of low winds and usually pleasant days, the air pollution is especially severe. Most recently, the situation has worsened even further, with local Government limiting industrial activities and suspending airport activity entirely, all
Shocking Januari 2013 Satellite Image revealing the extent of toxic air pollution over Beijing-Tianjin and beyond this region. Circle highlights the Location of Beijing. Red Market designates location of Tianjin.
to no avail. In winter of 2012/2013 air pollution indicators went off charts entirely for the first time. Citizens and visitors alike dubbed this the "airpocalypse" and outrage continues. As does the pollution.
Be warned, the situation is set to continue in the coming years unless drastic steps are taken by local and central Governments.
There are two main Railway Stations in Tianjin City. These are the East Station and the West Station. The East Station is located due East of the City Center.
