Tianjin

The Porcelain House left me speechless. I’ve never seen anything like it — every wall is covered in porcelain shards, crystals, and ancient fragments, like a mad artist’s dream turned into a building. It’s small, but you’ll want to stare at every inch. Later, I rode the Tianjin Eye at night, and the city lights stretching along the river were absolutely incredible. This city deserves way more attention from international travelers. A perfect day trip and then some.

Honestly, I came to Tianjin mostly for the food and it did not disappoint. Started the morning with a proper jianbing guozi from a street stall — crispy, savoury, perfect with the black bean paste. Had a ridiculous lunch of Goubuli baozi, then splurged on a seafood dinner near the fish market. Everything was fresh and flavorful and cheap compared to what I’m used to. The waterfront area was nice for burning off the food too. If you’re a food lover, this city is a must.

Renting a bike and riding along the Hai River at sunset was the highlight of my whole trip. The sky turned this crazy mix of orange and pink behind the Tianjin Eye, and the bridges were all lit up by the time I rode back. I stumbled onto a little weekend market near the old food street and grabbed a hot, crispy jianbing from an aunty who laughed at my terrible Chinese. Tianjin feels so underrated — every corner had something charming, and the locals were genuinely warm. I’m already planning another visit.

A solid getaway from Beijing. I spent most of my day wandering the Five Great Avenues, and the colonial architecture is genuinely stunning — like walking through a living history museum. The little cafes tucked into the old villas are lovely. My only slight letdown was the so-called Italian Style Town. It felt overly commercial and a bit fake, more like a film set than a real neighborhood. Still, the city has a relaxed vibe and the river front at sunset was gorgeous. Would recommend, but manage expectations.

I really wanted to love Tianjin, but it just didn't click for me. Ancient Culture Street is picturesque at first, but it gets exhausting when every shop is selling the same trinkets and inflatable toys. I could barely move through the crowds on a Tuesday afternoon. The cab driver also took a weird route from the train station, which added 20 minutes to the ride. To be fair, the food was decent and the riverside walk was pleasant, but I left thinking one day here was enough.

If you're looking for a relaxed weekend escape from Beijing, put Tianjin on your list. I loved cycling along the Haihe River in the morning before the tourist crowds arrived. The water was calm, old men were playing cards under the trees, and the European-style buildings glowed in the soft light. Later I visited the Porcelain House and the Ancient Culture Street, where I bought a clay figurine from a tiny shop. The high-speed rail makes it super easy, and the city has a quiet, down-to-earth vibe that I really appreciated. Five stars from me.