One Day Tianjin City Highlights Tour

In the morning, your private guide and driver will pick you up from Tianjin cruise port or your personally booked hotel in downtown Tianjin, and then accompany you to embark on your one day Tianjin city tour. 

The first stop will be Five Great Avenues, an early 20th-century foreign enclave dotted with thousands of historical buildings in British, French, Italian, German, and Spanish architectural styles. Make a beeline for its “heart”, the 100-year-old Minyuan Stadium, an open-air landmark that captures the essence of laid-back urban living. As you set foot on a vast sunken lawn fringed by Roman colonnades and arched entrances, you’ll feel instantly transported to the ancient Roman Colosseum in faraway Europe. Once Asia’s leading stadium, it now welcomes you to experience authentic local life: the lawn echoes with the peals of laughter from children, chatting elders loiter along the circular synthetic track, and young tourists pose for beautiful photos under the exotic colonnade.

Then, we’ll head to the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Tianjin’s largest Romanesque Catholic church, where you can soak in its rich religious heritage and exotic architectural beauty. Dating back to 1917, it features striking red-and-yellow exterior walls and three lofty green-tiled domes with bronze crosses. Stepping inside, feast your eyes on the soft-hued arched ceiling in blue, white, and yellow. Take a moment to admire vibrantly colored oil paintings on the walls depicting biblical stories, and lifelike, exquisite statues of the Virgin Mary and angels, all of which naturally soothe your spirit. Lift your gaze to the stained-glass windows, which cast gentle, colorful lights and shadows as sunlight spills into this sanctuary.Later, let’s make our way to the amazing Porcelain House, a priceless porcelain museum renovated from a 1920s French villa and clad in over 700 million antique porcelain shards. From a distance, you’ll marvel at a 768-meter (2519-foot) dragon winding across the roof, crafted to spell the English word “china”. Step near its outer walls to enjoy hundreds of inlaid century-old porcelain vases. With your guide, you’ll learn that in Chinese, “vase” sounds identical to “peace”, so building the wall out of them bears an auspicious meaning of safety and well-being. Feel free to touch the vases gently and embrace this heartfelt blessing. Then, venture deeper into the museum to discover a wealth of vintage furniture and household objects, against the backdrop of red walls adorned with ceramic “paintings” that recreate famed artworks from various countries and eras. Also, look up at the stunning ceiling - it’s studded with delicate porcelain plates like a starry sky.

Afterward, we’ll dive into the Ancient Cultural Street, a cradle of the city’s civilization with a long history of 700-plus years. Meander through flagstone paths to revel in rows of red-and-green quaint architecture with soaring eaves, carved beams, and painted rafters. Along the way, witness the six-century-old art of colored clay sculpture revived by young artisans, and listen to dulcet melodies played on a traditional Chinese three-stringed instrument by street performers. A myriad of timeless signature treats awaits your exploration, such as steamed buns, fried rice cakes, and fried dough twists. If you’d like to savor them at your own expense, your guide will be delighted to offer you some recommendations according to your taste.

Next, let’s explore Italian Style Street, the world’s only intact Italian complex outside of its homeland. Formerly a foreign concession for nine nations, it is home to over 100 buildings with Gothic, Roman, and Baroque designs. Start your visit at Marco Polo Square, where the iconic Peace Goddess Statue and exotic fountains exude the classic ambiance of Roman Holiday. The new star attraction, Zhongshu Bookstore, will wow you with mirrored ceilings and layered archways that create the visual impact of a futuristic labyrinth. Moreover, visit the Π-shaped Former Italian Barracks and the historical residences of Chinese celebrities, while hearing their stories from your guide. 

★ Haihe River Cruise: Enjoy the Finest Riverside Landscapes 

To enhance your trip, we’ve specially included for you a cruise along the Haihe River, which is crucial to Tianjin’s growth and is revered by locals as the beloved “Mother River”. Once on board, take your time to enjoy the most enchanting riverside scenery. While the ship glides beneath the Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel, grab your camera to capture this popular landmark with its mirror-like reflection on the water. During the 50-minute cruise, delight in a breathtaking city skyline and iconic attractions, including the century-old Liberation Bridge and bustling Lion Forest Bridge.

After that, your 1-day private Tianjin highlights tour comes to a successful end, and your guide and driver will escort you back to Tianjin cruise port or your hotel. Want to extend your trip to nearby Beijing and discover its highlights, such as the UNESCO sites: Forbidden City and Great Wall? Please reach out to our travel consultants anytime for your customized private tour!