BJ65: Beijing Extensional Tour to Tianjin

Tianjin is a port city with profound history and unique culture background. Only about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Beijing, it is a great destination for a side trip from the capital city.

 Day 1: Morning high speed train to Tianjin - Shi's Compound - Quanyechang Shopping Mall - St. Joseph Cathedral - Five Great Avenues - Ancient Culture Street
 Day 2: Dagu Fort - Binhai Aircraft Carrier Theme Park - Tianjin Eye & Haihe River Cruise
 Day 3: Huangyaguan Great Wall - Afternoon high speed train back to Beijing 

 This is a guided tour by eco-friendly public transport. If you need a private car, feel free to contact our travel consultants to arrange it for you.

Get to Tianjin from Beijing by High Speed Train 

This morning, after picking you up, our guide will accompany you to Tianjin by high speed train, which will take 30 minutes or so. There are inter-city high speed trains that depart from 06:00 to 23:00 at an interval of 15-20 minutes from Beijing South Railway Station, which can be reached by subway line 4 and line 14. We will contact you before the tour to confirm which train you prefer. We recommend those departing before 9:00 and arriving at Tianjin South Railway Station, which is relatively closer to Shi's Compound, the first sightseeing stop today. 

Stop 1: Shi’s Compound

Upon getting off at Tianjin South Train Station, the guide will lead you to take bus no.674 to Gongyong Jishi Xueyuan, then change to bus no. 757 to Shi's Compound. The transfer needs about an hour. 

The compound is also called Yangliuqing Museum, which was the previous residence of Shi Yuanshi, a celebrity doing well in business and even being interviewed by Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). There are exhibitions about Chinese paper cutting, wedding customs and clay figures inside. 

Stop 2: Quanyechang Shopping Mall 

Get out from the compound, follow the guide to walk eastwards to Liukou Road, and take bus No. 824 from Shijia Dayuan to Jinta. After getting off, walk east along Xing'an Road for 150 meters (160 yards), and then turn southwest into Binjiang Road for another 250 meters (270 yards), to reach the bustling and time-honored shopping mall, Quanyechang. 

Lunch Recommendations

In addition to various items, there is an area inside Quanyechang providing famous Goubuli Steamed Stuffed Buns, Shibajie Fried Dough Twist, and other local snacks and dishes. The guide will leave you some time to have lunch there. 

Stop 3: St. Joseph Cathedral 

After, walk south along the Binjiang Road at the east side of Quanyechang for about 1,400 meters (1,500 yards) to the St. Joseph Cathedral (Old Xikai Church). 

The church is a unique French romantic building with yellow and red bricks and green dome. 

Stop 4: Five Great Avenues

Following St. Joseph Cathedral, walk northward to Nanjing Road and then keep walking eastward for about 1,000 meters (1,100 yards) to reach Five Great Avenues. 

It is well-known for villas in various styles. They were mostly built in 1920s to 1930s by westerners. Strolling there, you may feel like in a Europe country rather than in China. 

Stop 5: Ancient Cultural Street and Have Dinner 

Afterwards, take bus no. 954 to Dongbeijiao bus stop, and then walk about 250 meters (270 yards) northwards to the famous Ancient Cultural Street (Jinmen Guli). The guide may also escort you there by other bus based on your ending location in the Five Great Avenues. 

Along the street, there are many shops selling traditional folk artwork and handicrafts. If you are interested, you may also have a cup of tea at the famous Mingliu Tea House and appreciate the wonderful performance there. 

Dinner recommendations: There are many restaurants and booths along the street serving local flavors and snacks. You may taste some as dinner. The guide will be glad to recommend some for you. 

Stay Overnight around Tianjin Ancient Cultural Street

When today's city tour is over, we recommend you to stay overnight at a hotel around the block. You may choose one based on your requirements and budget. If traveling during Chinese public holidays, do book one in advance. After help you check in, the guide will say goodbye. Wish you sweet dreams!

Stop 1: Dagu Fort

Please have breakfast at your hotel. At the appointed time, the guide will come to pick you up from the hotel and lead you to Dongnanjiao metro station to take metro line 2 to Tianjin Railway Station, change to line 9 and alight at Citizen Square, and then take a taxi to Dagu Fort. 

The fort was built in 1816 to protect capital Beijing in war times, and now is one of the ten most famous scenic spots in Tianjin. 

Stop 2: Binhai Aircraft Carrier Theme Park 

After that the guide will hail a taxi and escort you to visit Binhai Aircraft Carrier Theme Park. The aircraft carrier in the park used to be the admiral of Russian Pacific Ocean Armada. It will be life-long memories to go inside the aircraft to have a look. Besides, there are some interesting performances going on, like flying stunt, Russian dancing and singing show and float parade. 

Lunch Recommendations 

The theme park is quite large and it’s difficult finishing the visit around noon. But don’t worry. There are restaurants inside providing both Chinese and western food. We recommend you to have lunch there. Just be prepared that the price is a little high. 

Stop 3: Tianjin Eye & Haihe River Cruise

Tianjin Eye is a giant Ferris wheel built on Yongle Bridge over Haihe River. On it, you can overlook the Tianjin city. After getting out from the Aircraft Theme Park, the guide will accompany you to take bus no. 127 to Donghai Road, change to metro line 9 to Dawangzhuang, get out from Exit B and transfer to bus no. 806 to Dahutong Shangmao Zhongxin and at last walk northward for about 600 meters (660 yards) to reach Tianjin Eye. It takes about 2.5 hours to complete the long distance by public transport. 

The Haihe River Cruise right has a wharf nearby. Coming down from the Ferris wheel, the guide will lead you to the wharf and help you board the cruise ship. During the cruise, you can appreciate modern skyscrapers and old western style buildings. The cruise lasts for about 50 minutes and you are recommended the night cruise, when neon lights make the buildings even more charming.  

Return Back to Hotel & Have Dinner

When the cruise ends, follow the guide to Shiji Tianle bus stop to take bus no.954 or no.849 to Ancient Cultural Street and walk back to your hotel. As for dinner, you may go to enjoy it in one of the restaurants in the Ancient Cultural Street, too. 

Stop 1: Huangyaguan Great Wall

Huangyaguan Great Wall is in northern outskirt of Tianjin, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) away from downtown. This section of Great Wall well preserves a pass, a water gate, and watch towers, etc. 

The guide will come to pick you up early today. Please check out of the hotel in advance. After, he or she will accompany you to take metro line 2 to Tianjin Railway Station, then transfer to train S902 which departs at around 07:30 and arrives at Jizhou North Railway Station at around 10:00. Upon arrival, take a local taxi to Huangyaguan Great Wall. 

Lunch Recommendations 

Please have a big breakfast and bring with you some snacks to restore energy while on the Great Wall, because you may have a late lunch today. There are some hostels nearby the entrance/exit providing local dishes. After coming out of the scenic spot, the guide will leave you some time to feed yourself. 

Get Back to Beijing

When this Beijing to Tianjin tour ends here, the guide will escort you back to Jizhou North Railway Station by taxi or a private car hailed on one of these apps, and then connect to a high speed train back to Beijing. C116 departing at 16:21 and arriving at 17:13 is recommended. Arriving at Beijing Railway Station, then guide will then send you back to your own booked hotel by subway line 2, or city bus if it’s more convenient.