Tianjin has a long and illustrious history, from an ordinary fishing village to the most important trade center in Northern China. Tianjin was considered to be one of China's most important military fortresses in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) due to its particular geographic location as access point to Beijing, the national capital. Its name "Tianjin" was graciously bestowed by the Emperor Zhudi in the early years of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Tianjin means "the place where the emperor crossed the river". In 1860, after the First Opium War, Tianjin was further expanded to become the second largest business and communications center in the country. By the end of the 19th century, it had grown into a bustling center for international commerce.
Strolling in the streets, you may see vestiges of western architecture in many parts of the city. There still remain more than 1,000 buildings constructed during the period between the end of the 19th century and 1930's displaying eastern or western architectural styles. Take a walk along Jie Fang Bei Road, and the famous five great roads, etc., to find the relics of the colonial times.
Tianjin has had great importance politically, culturally and economically. There is so much to see, do and enjoy. Tianjin has rich tourism resources and three scenic spots have been set up and continuously perfected the downtown sightseeing spot along the Haihe River, the Tanggu seaside recreational area characterized by the Port of Tianjin and the Bohai Gulf, and the Jixian County sightseeing district famous for its mountains and historic relics.
