City Guide:

Tianjin is located in the northeast of North China, bordering Bohai Sea to the east and facing Japan, Korea and the Repulic of Korea. It is an important gateway to Beijing, which is 137 kilometers northwest away. One can get to Beijing from Tianjin in one hour and 20 minutes by train or two hours by bus.

As one of four municipalities under the Central Government of China, it is the second largest international trading ports and industrial and commercial metropolises in China after Shanghai, hence the nickname "the diamond of the Bohai Gulf". It is famous for its handicrafts, such as the Yangliuqing New Year Paintings, painted sculptures, kites and carpets. Tianjin History Museum and the Art Gallery are well-known for their vast collections of precious cultural artifacts.

It is a famous historical and cultural city. In Yuan Dynasty, it was one of China's most important military fortresses owing to its particular location near Beijing.  "Tianjin" means "the place where the son of Heaven once forded the river". The "son of Heaven" referred to Emperor Yongle of Ming Dynasty. At that time, Tianjin is an important communication passage, where grains were shipped to the capital city by the Grand Canal.

Main places of interest include Ancient Cultural Street, Food Street, and the ancient Great Wall at Huangya Pass, Panshan Mountain and Shi Family's Courtyard House.