Tianjin Life and Visitor Travel Tips

(Tianjin, China)

The prosperity of Tianjin has always been closely linked to the nearby city of Beijing, which lies to the north-west. Ever since Beijing become the capital city in the 13th century, Tianjin has never looked back and offered an important location next to Bohai Bay and the Yangzi River.

When arriving in Tianjin, be sure to purchase a good map of the city, which can prove invaluable during your stay here. Maps of Tianjin are available at the train station and also at the Xinhua Bookstore along Tangshan Dao. Consider making an itinerary, to make sure you don't miss anything that you intended to see. Here are travel tips and other information about life in Tianjin.

Useful Contact Information

A visit to the local tourist offices, known as 'Service Centres' can be a useful resource, while many prefer the ever-changing selection of Internet cafes, which are peppered all around Tianjin. For foreign-currency exchange and cashpoints (ATMs), plenty of major banks lie in the very heart of the city.

Bank of China
Address: Zhongguó Yinháng, 80 - 82 Jiefang Beilu, Tianjin, China, CN
ATM cashpoint accepts: Cirrus, MasterCard, Plus and all Visa cards

HSBC Bank
Address: Huifeng Yinháng, Ocean Hotel, 5 Yuanyang Guangchang, Tianjin, China, CN

China International Travel Service (CITS)
Address: 22 Youyi Lu, Tianjin, China, CN
Tel: +86 022 2835 8309
Fax: +86 022 2835 2619
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 08:30 to 17:00

Tianjin Tourism Bureau
Address: 22 Youyi Lu, , Tianjin, China, CN
Tel: +86 022 2835 4860
Fax: +86 022 2835 2324

Language and Dialect

Chinese is the official language of locals in Tianjin and all over the People's Republic of China, and is also referred to as either 'Mandarin' or 'Putonghua'. Various different dialect groups are based around the country, with regional accents and phrases. Visitors to China will find that by simply using a few basic words or phrases, their holiday will be enriched, so be sure not to forget your Chinese Phrasebook.

Hello - Ni hao
Goodbye - Zaijian
Please - Qing
Thank you - Ziexie
Yes - qu
No - bu

Passport and Visa Information

A visa is required for travel into the People's Republic of China and should be arranged at your local Chinese Embassy or relevant consulate. Most applications take three to five days, or longer by mail, although an express service is available for an additional fee. Pay a visit to the Tianjin Public Security Bureau (PSB) if you need any advice about extending your visa or have a related query:

Public Security Bureau (PSB)
Address: Gonganjú, 30 Tangshan Dao, Tianjin, China, CN
Tel: +86 022 2311 8951

Drinking Tap Water

Drinking tap water in Tianjin can be enough to spoil a good holiday, since it often causes varying levels of diarrhoea or sickness. Tap water should be avoided in all forms, such as ice cubes, salads and watered down juice drinks. Instead, stick to bottled water, making sure that the bottles are sealed.