Tianjin

Tianjin is one of the four districts in China. Its name signifies 'where the ruler crossed the stream'. Confronting the Bohai Sea, the city, one time magnificent port, serves as Beijing's imperative entryway to the sea. Always being contrasted with Běijīng if anything, it's more similar to Shànghǎi, the previous foreign concession port of Tiānjīn is a substantial, blasting, yet laid-back city, with a wonderful waterway promenade and some charming, European-flavoured neighbourhoods.

It's a simple day trip from the capital, however you may need a long end of the week to explore the city properly. The European-style houses, metropolitan structures and churches in Wudadao Five Great Avenues are heritages of that period. Remaining interestingly are the city's numerous modern skyscrapers, including the famous 415m-tall Tianjin Radio and Television Tower.