Tianjin

The city’s name means “the place where the emperor crossed the river.” It is located near the Bohai Sea, and it was the imperial port back in the day; now, it is an important gateway to the sea for Beijing. Tianjin has become popular among tourists due to its many natural resources and historical heritage. The city’s exotic and unique beauty it’s the mark the nine countries: Italy, Germany, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, Austria, Japan, and Belgium left when they inhabited it.

SAFETY INDEX

See others cities in China

Warnings & Dangers

Mid Priority-96 OVERALL RISK : LOW

Tianjin is quite safe and a non-violent city. You should not be concerned about personal safety as long as you follow the basics you would at home. Travelers are often victims of petty crime, but this can be prevented by taking precautions.

Mid Priority-96 PICKPOCKETS RISK : HIGH

Pickpockets and purse snatching are common in crowded places. We advise that you keep an eye on your belonging when you find yourself in busy and crowded areas.

Mid Priority-96 MUGGING RISK : LOW

Mugging and kidnapping against foreigners are extremely rare.

Mid Priority-96 SCAMS RISK : HIGH

Counterfeit currency is a significant problem in Tianjin. Always try to carry small bills or to use exact change.

Mid Priority-96 TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : MEDIUM

Be cautious when taking a taxi, especially at airports. Avoid unlicensed taxis, insist that the taxi driver use his/her meter, request a receipt, and ask your driver to remove the bags from the trunk before you get out of the taxi and before you pay.

Mid Priority-96 NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : LOW

Tianjin is located in an active seismic zone as it lies on top of the Tangshan-Hejian-Cixan fault. The last devastating earthquake was in 1976 magnitude 7.6.

Mid Priority-96 TERRORISM RISK : LOW

Terrorist attacks are unlikely in Tianjin.

Mid Priority-96 WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW

Tianjin is a safe place to travel for female travellers, but it is always good to exercise precautions like you would in any other country.

Carte

WHAT TO DO?

Heping

Heping is located in the center of the city. The main shopping malls are found on Nanjing Road and Binjiang street. One of the most popular streets among tourists is the Five Avenue due to its colonial architecture.

Hedong

As its name states, “District east of the river,” Hedong lies east of the Hai River, and it was once part of the Russian Concession during the colonial period. Here, you’ll find the Tianjin Railway Station, General Mail Office, and the Conservatory of Music among others.

Binhai New Area

Located on the eastern coast of Tianjin, this district is the new trendy area in China as it was established in 2009 with one goal: replicate the development seen in Shenzhen and Shanghai. Many companies have already invested and established offices there like Rockefeller, Motorola, and Airbus among others.

Useful Information

There are no specific difficulties for travellers entering China. The main requirements are a passport that’s valid for six months after the expiry date of your visa, and a visa. Citizens from 51 nations (including the US, Australia, Canada, France, Brazil and the UK) can stay in Beijing for 72 hours without a visa as long as it is a layover, they are traveling outside of China, have a third-country visa, and an air ticket out of Beijing. Similarly, travellers from the 51 nations can stay 144 hours in Shanghai, Nanjing or Gangzhou without a visa. For more information about the Chinese visa, please visit the Chinese Visa Application Service Center website. Hong Kong and Macau have a separate visa and entry administration. See entry requirements for Hong Kong here and here for Macau.
China’s currency is called “yuan” or renminbi (RMB, “the people’s money”). Denominations of bills: 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, and 1 yuan. There are ATMs in big cities and towns. China is still a cash culture, so do not rely on your credit card.
The rainy season typically begins in February and ends in September. July and August are the hottest months of the year; some provinces have reported heat alerts. The typhoon season in China is usually from May to November affecting the southern and eastern coasts.
China’s major airports are Beijing Capital International Airport, Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, Hong Kong International Airport, Xian Xianyang International Airport, Guilin Liangjiang International Airport, and Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. If you’re looking for cheap flight deals, you can find some on JetRadar
As in any country, we advise travelers to get a travel insurance that covers not only medical problems but also theft and loss of personal items. Learn more on our travel insurance page