Tianjin lies in the northeast of the North China Plain and borders the Bohai Sea. The city is separated by the Haihe River flowing through the urban area of the city. Tianjin is one of the four municipalities of China directly under the central government jurisdiction. The other three are Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing. The city is some 120 kilometers from Beijing and is a major foreign trade port of China. It plays an important role in importation and exportation of China's economy. Tianjin boasts enchanting scenes and unique historical spots. It was listed by the Chinese government as one of the cities well-known for the long and splendid history of civilizations in China.

Tianjin is the third largest city of China and it's only 80 km east of Beijing. For visitors its most attractive feature is its legacy of colonial buildings reflecting various foreign styles. Besides, the Antique Market and Ancient Culture Street are also featured. All these draw Tianjin architecture and shopping opportunities, that make it worth a day trip from Beijing, less than two hours away by train.

Tianjin is an important port since the Ming dynasty, when goods destined for the capital were stored here. Today port activity has moved to Tanggu, 50km east, and Tianjin is given over to industry and commerce.

Recommended Scenic Spots

Mt. Panshan

Spreading the shades of dusk, Mt. Panshan is shrouded in mist and thin floating clouds and formed magnificent sights of "being fine but not fine; not raining but raining" which called "Sanpan Muyu". It means "raining in the dusk on Mt. Panshan" and is the fourth of "the ten most famous scenic spots" in Tianjin.

Mt. Panshan, 12-kilometers northwest of Jixian county of Tianjin, was reputed as the "the First Mountain in the East of Beijing". Its highest peak, named Guayue, also Hanging-up-Moon Peak, is about 864 meters high. On the mountain, many temples, pagodas, carved stelae and stones are dotted here and there. Like other emperors through past ages, Qianlong, emperor of the Qing dynasty, visited the Mt. Panshan several times. He once praised: "Had I known Mt. Panshan earlier, why should I have toured down south of the Yangtze River?"

Dabei Buddhist Monastery in Tianjing

The Dabei Buddhist Monastery, including east and west parts, is the largest Buddhist temple in Tianjin as well as one of the key Buddhist temples in China. The east part, built in 1940, is the main part and consists of the Tianwang Hall, Daxiongbao Hall, Dabei Hall, Dizang Hall, etc.

In the halls, there are many statues of Sakyamuni, Dabei Bodhisattva, Guanyin Bodhisattva and Mile Bodhisattva. The west part was built during the Shunzhi reign of the Qing dynasty (1644-1661), and expanded in the 5th year of Kangxi of the Qing dynasty (in 1669). The Hall of Cultural Relics and the Courtyard of Abbots are located in it.