WHILE Tianjin has often been marketed as a day trip option from Beijing, its tourism bureau is seeking to reverse this by drawing attention to its lower prices as well as historical and cultural assets.
Tianjin’s accommodation is cheaper than Beijing’s, and the city is just 30 minutes away from Beijing by high-speed rail. Meanwhile, construction of the Light Rapid Transit system linking the city will be completed next year.
Tianjin Airport too, offers a wide range of flight routes like Beijing, but minus the inconveniences of full flights and delays.
Tianjin Municipal Tourism Bureau director Ma Ben Zhong noted Tianjin’s significance in contemporary Chinese history, where the last emperor Puyi, first Republican president Yuan Shi Kai, and various warlords had left their mark.
While Beijing has been renowned for China’s ancient heritage, Tianjin is noted for historical sites from the late Qing dynasty and early Republican era.
The nine foreign concessions in Tianjin also offer plenty of historical significance to the city’s tourism. Tianjin’s Culture Street, Hai river cruise and Tianjin Eye are also widely popular attractions.
Tianjin Port, located in the Binhai New Area, offers unbeatable sceneries. Other attractions in the vicinity include an aircraft carrier theme park and a Russian-themed street.
Tianjin also draws tourists for its ‘industrial travel’ products, such as an Airbus 320 assembly facility, biological and pharmaceutical sector, textile industries and breweries.
Article by Zhong Yun. Translated by Ong Yanchun from the original TTG China e-Daily article, December 1, 2014.
