Beautiful, a day exploring nine sights in Tianjin

Upon arrival, stay near Tianjin Railway Station.
First stop: Century Clock, Liberation Bridge, and "Jinwan Square." In the morning, visit the Tianjin landmark—Century Clock—standing at the confluence of the Haihe River and the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. Built to welcome the new century, its unique design and profound symbolism attract many visitors. I carefully observed the zodiac reliefs, sun and moon elements, industrial gears, and 56 peonies on the clock—each detail a musical note of the city, striking the strong rhythm of the era. Then, walk across the Liberation Bridge, the only double-leaf vertical-rotation bridge in China, another landmark preserving the city's memories. Strolling across to "Jinwan Square" was delightful!

Second stop: Pingjin Campaign Memorial Hall. From "Jinwan Square," I took an online ride (fare: ¥15) to the Pingjin Campaign Memorial Hall, a national first-class museum and 4A tourist attraction. The campaign lasted 63 days, from November 29, 1948, to January 31, 1949. The museum presents the historical journey of the campaign's victory through eight sections from multiple perspectives.

Third stop: Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal. After the memorial hall, I took another online ride (fare: ¥11) to admire the Grand Canal, a national key cultural relic. Along the banks, Taoli Garden displays the canal’s route and history, and I spotted a preserved relic—"Emperor Qianlong’s Landing Site." The once-bustling canal now lies tranquil.

Fourth stop: Tianjin Eye. From the Grand Canal, I took another ride (fare: ¥15) to this landmark. The Tianjin Eye is unique as the world’s only Ferris wheel built over a bridge, but unfortunately, it was under maintenance.

Fifth stop: Ciyun Temple. A 300m walk from Tianjin Eye led me here—unplanned but recommended by a friendly local. The temple’s plaques bear psychologically uplifting phrases like "Seek Within," "Faith," and "Mindfulness," making it a serene retreat.

Sixth stop: Wanghailou Church. Continuing along the river, I encountered this Gothic-style building, Tianjin’s first Catholic church, built in 1869. A national key cultural relic, it was temporarily closed.

Seventh stop: Lion Grove Bridge. Spanning the Haihe River for over 150 years, this classical bridge adorned with lifelike stone lions is a must-visit, embodying Tianjin’s history.

Eighth stop: Tianjin Ancient Culture Street. Crossing the bridge, a 1km walk brought me to this nostalgic area brimming with old-world charm. Here, I indulged in Tianjin’s "Three Delicacies": Goubuli steamed buns, 18th Street fried dough twists, and Ear-Hole Fried Cake—all listed as intangible cultural heritage.

The street’s highlight was Tianhou Palace, a national key cultural relic dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu. Coincidentally, I witnessed vibrant celebrations for her birthday (March 23).

Ninth stop: Italian Style Street. Established in 1902 as an Italian concession, this 4A-rated area features 137 Italian-designed buildings. Key sights include Marco Polo Square and the Goddess of Peace statue. I also visited the "Century-Old Tianjin Industry Exhibition," a glimpse into the city’s industrial past.

Post by Oliver Gray Oliver_36 | May 14, 2025