1. Brief Introduction
Tianjin is a metropolis in northern China and one of the five national central cities of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). It is governed as one of the four direct-controlled municipalities of the PRC, and is thus under direct administration of the central government. Tianjin borders Hebei Province and Beijing Municipality, bounded to the east by the Bohai Gulf portion of the Yellow Sea. Part of the Bohai Economic Rim, it is the largest coastal city in northern China.
In terms of urban population, Tianjin is the fourth largest in China, after Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. In terms of administrative area population, Tianjin ranks fifth in Mainland China. Tianjin is a dual-core city, with its main urban area (including the old city) located along the Hai River, which connects to the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers via the Grand Canal; and Binhai, a New Area urban core located east of the old city, on the coast of Bohai Sea.
2. Economy
Tianjin has become the pilot city with the most industrial investment funds in China. The China National Private Equity Forum was held in Tianjin again, with approx. 500 investment companies and private fund institutions as well as about 2,000 growing enterprises involving in global capital circulation through this Capital Connection in Tianjin. Supported by the strong actual goods exchange, Tianjin takes futures industry development as a key part of its financial reform and innovation. In July 2008, the Yide Futures Broker Co. moved its headquarters to Tianjin. Tianjin Finance Town Project, North Jiefang Road as its axle, has been initiated. It will be built into a comprehensive, open and intellectual finance service area within ten years.
Tianjin is transforming into a hub city for international shipping and logistics, modern manufacturing and research and development. Tianjin pillar industries are electronic information technology, automotive, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, metallurgy and petrochemicals industries. The new coastal area, consisting of Tianjin Port, Tianjin Economic and Technology Development Area and Tianjin Bonded area, has attracted numerous world-famous businesses like Motorola, Toyota and Samsung. Globalization and opening up of the economy to the rest of the world have brought about remarkable benefits to the economic growth of Tianjin.
As of the end of 2010, around 285 Fortune 500 companies have set up base in Binhai, which is a new growth pole in China and is a hub of advanced industry and financial activity. Since the mid-19th century, Tianjin has been a major seaport and gateway to the nation's capital. During the Boxer Rebellion, the city was the seat of the Tianjin Provisional Government.
Currently, Tianjin is developing itself into an eco-city, thus, bringing multiple prospects for investments in fixed assets in the subsequent time periods.
3. Education
Colleges and Universities
Under the National Ministry of Education:
Tianjin University (founded 1895, oldest university in China)
Nankai University (founded 1919，one of the most prestigious universities in China)
Under the municipal government:
Tianjin Medical University
Tianjin Polytechnic University
Tianjin Normal University
Tianjin University of Science & Technology
Tianjin University of Technology
Tianjin University of Finance & Economics
Tianjin University of Commerce
Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts
Tianjin Agricultural College
Tianjin Conservatory of Music
Tianjin Foreign Studies University
Tianjin Institute of Physical Education
Tianjin University of Technology and Education
Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Tianjin Urban Construction Institute
4. Transportation
Getting in and out of the city is convenient because of the well-planned transportation system. If you want to come by water, there are a series of international and domestic sea routes in the port of Tianjin, which is the biggest man-made port in China. If you plan to arrive by air, Tianjin Binhai International Airport offers excellent service. Of course, arriving in Tianjin by land is another option, while trains or long-distance buses are yet another alternative.
Tianjin port is the world’s top-level and China’s largest artificial deep water harbor, and the throughput capacity ranks the fifth place in the world. Located in Binhai Economic Zone, a national new economic zone of China, Tianjin harbor is the port of call of international cruises visiting the wider area, including Beijing.
5. Climate
Tianjin features a four-season, monsoon-influenced climate, typical of East Asia, with cold, windy, very dry winters reflecting the influence of the vast Siberian anticyclone, and hot, humid summers, due to the monsoon. Spring in the city is dry and windy, occasionally seeing sandstorms blowing in from the Gobi Desert, capable of lasting for several days. The monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from −3.5 °C (25.7 °F) in January to 26.6 °C (79.9 °F) in July, with an annual mean of 12.66 °C (54.8 °F). With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 48% in July to 61% in October, the city receives 2,522 hours of bright sunshine annually. Having a low annual total precipitation of 540 millimeters (21.3 in), and nearly three-fifths of it occurring in July and August alone, the city lies within the humid continental zone, with parts of the municipality being semi-arid.
6. Tourism & Delicious Food
Tianjin has a variety of places to interest tourists. In the city itself is the beautiful Haihe River area, Tianjin Broadcasting and Television Tower, the well-known Ancient Cultural Street, Food Street, the Memorial Hall of Zhou Enlai and Deng Yingchao, the Memorial Hall of the Beiping (Beijing)-Tianjin Campaign, Tianjin Science and Technology Museum and the Museums of Nature, History, Art, Opera and Folk Customs. In Tanggu there is the Seaside Villa famous for its thermal springs and the world renowned Dagu Fort. In Jixian County there is the Huangya Pass of the Great Wall, a section famous for its wonderful scenery. Jixian County also contains the state tourist area of Panshan Mountain and Dule Monastery.
Tianjin has also a variety of traditional style foods, in which, “Three Unique Foods of Tianjin” are comprised of Goubuli's Stuffed Buns, Guifaxiang Fried Dough Twists and Ear-Hole Fried Cake. Other special foods include: Zhang’s Peanut Kernel, Cao's Donkey Meat, Lu’s Fried Cake, Bai’s Dumplings, Zhilanzhai Sweetened Rice Flour, Dafulai’s crispy rice with vegetables and Stone Doorsill Steamed Stuffed Buns.
Population: 15.16 million
Temperature: average 14 °C (57.2 °F)
