1. One Of Northern China's Most Memorable Museums
Far and away Tianjin's premier tourist attraction, the city museum makes an instant impression with its cutting edge design. Located on Yinhe Plaza near the center of town, it features over 50,000 square meters of exhibition space, which encompasses almost every aspect of Chinese arts and crafts. From jade pendants to exquisite calligraphy, ancient paintings, and lavish ceramics, the museum is a demonstration of the country's incredible heritage, and the place to start when getting to grips with Tianjin's history.
2. A Haven Of Buddhist Beauty
Also known as the "Temple of Great Compassion", Dabei Yuan dates back to the Qing (or Manchu) dynasty, making it the oldest religious complex in Tianjin. And it's also the most elegant. The centerpiece is an uncanny statue of the bodhisattva Guanyin, associated with compassion in Buddhist lore, but there are plenty of other treasures on display. If you have an interest in Chinese art and architecture, the temple will be a feast for the eyes. But for Buddhists, it's very much a living, progressive institution, which leads the way in bringing modern tech to bear on age-old spiritual issues.
3. Tianjin's Souvenir Center
Known in many tourist guides as "Ancient Culture Street", Jinmen Guli is at the center of Tianjin's Old Town, and is pretty much unmissable for all visitors. This engaging street is packed with antiques sellers, vendors offering jade creations (not all of them 100% jade, it has to be admitted), and traditional mud sculptures. If you want to pick up miniature paintings, caps, or robes, this is the place to shop. In fact, it's simply the best place to go souvenir shopping in Tianjin, period.
4. A Dazzling Ceramic Showcase
Not, as you might think, a house dedicated to Chinese culture, "China House" is actually focused on porcelain china - and in a major way. This outlandish creation is essentially a late 19th century French house that has been clad in tonnes of colorful porcelain. Everything inside is clad or decorated with porcelain as well, adding up to a unique display of Chinese ceramic mastery. For some, it might also add up to an unholy mess, but that's part of the charm. There's nothing quite like this eccentric testament to the power of porcelain.
5. A Magnificent Mansion To Add To Your Mentions
Located in the Yangliuqing neighborhood, the Shi Family Courtyard is one of the most graceful examples of modern Chinese architecture you could ever hope to see. It was built in the 1870s by a prosperous merchant family, and on a grand scale - with 275 rooms, 200 houses for employees and dependents, and a floor space of 6,000 square meters. A popular filming location for period dramas, it's now been converted into a fascinating Folk Museum, but some of the original opulent interiors have been retained.
