Attractions · Tianjin

Ancient Culture Street is Tianjin's most distinctive tourist shopping street, centred on the Tianhou Temple and 580 metres long. It gathers famous Tianjin folk arts and crafts such as Yangliuqing New Year paintings, Clay Figure Zhang painted sculpture and Wei's kites. Highlights include the Yangliuqing New Year Painting Museum and the Clay Figure Zhang Art Museum. An old street centred on the Tianhou Temple, it gathers Yangliuqing New Year paintings, Clay Figure Zhang and other time-honoured names, where Tianjin folk customs and street life can be felt. Tip: go towards evening to enjoy both the daytime folk atmosphere and the night lighting. Practical info: the street is on Dongmen Inner Street, Nankai District, Tianjin; admission free; opening hours 09:00–21:00. Best season: autumn (September–November) is crisp and clear; spring (April–May) is also pleasant. Combine with the Five Great Avenues, the Tianjin Eye and Panshan Scenic Area for a half- or full-day route. Confirm the day's opening and reservation policy before you go and allow ample time. In peak season or on holidays, book in advance, travel off-peak and allow time for queues and security checks.

Tip: Go towards evening to enjoy both the daytime folk atmosphere and the night lighting.

• Address: Dongmen Inner Street, Nankai District, Tianjin
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: 09:00–21:00

The Five Great Avenues is Tianjin's most distinctive historic and cultural district, preserving more than 2,000 villas built in the 1920s and 1930s in British, French, Italian, German, Spanish and other styles. Highlights include Minyuan Square, Prince Qing's Mansion and Xiannong Courtyard. A historic district enclosed by five roads, it gathers more than 2,000 villas in styles from many countries and is known as an exhibition of world architecture. Tip: a horse-drawn carriage tour is recommended, as the guide explains the history of each building. Practical info: the district is on Chongqing Road and nearby streets, Heping District, Tianjin; admission free (some exhibition venues charge admission); open all day. Best season: autumn (September–November) is crisp and clear; spring (April–May) is also pleasant. Combine with Ancient Culture Street, the Tianjin Eye and Panshan Scenic Area for a half- or full-day route. Confirm the day's opening and reservation policy before you go and allow ample time. In peak season or on holidays, book in advance, travel off-peak and allow time for queues and security checks.

Tip: A horse-drawn carriage tour is recommended, as the guide explains the history of each building.

• Address: Chongqing Road and nearby streets, Heping District, Tianjin
• Ticket: Free (some exhibition venues charge admission)
• Opening: Open all day

The Tianjin Eye is the only Ferris wheel in the world built on a bridge. It is 120 metres tall with a diameter of 110 metres, has 48 transparent cabins and takes about 30 minutes to complete one revolution. Highlights include the Ferris wheel ride, the Hai River night view and Yongle Bridge. A giant Ferris wheel spanning the Hai River, about 120 metres tall, it offers views over the city at night and is one of Tianjin's modern landmarks. Tip: ride towards evening to enjoy both sunset and the night view. Practical info: the wheel is at Yongle Bridge, Sanchahekou, Hongqiao District, Tianjin; ticket about ¥70; opening hours 09:30–21:30. Best season: autumn (September–November) is crisp and clear; spring (April–May) is also pleasant. Combine with Ancient Culture Street, the Five Great Avenues and Panshan Scenic Area for a half- or full-day route. Confirm the day's opening and reservation policy before you go and allow ample time. In peak season or on holidays, book in advance, travel off-peak and allow time for queues and security checks.

Tip: Ride towards evening to enjoy both sunset and the night view.

• Address: Yongle Bridge, Sanchahekou, Hongqiao District, Tianjin
• Ticket: About ¥70
• Opening: 09:30–21:30

Panshan is a national scenic area, named for stretching across the Yanshan Mountains and winding in spirals. It is known for the 'Three Terraces in Evening Rain': pines on the upper terrace, rocks on the middle terrace and water on the lower terrace. Highlights include Guayue Peak, Tiancheng Temple, Wansong Temple and Rusheng. Known as the first mountain east of Beijing, it is famous for sights such as Three Terraces in Evening Rain; Emperor Qianlong once sighed, 'Had I known there was Panshan, I would not have needed to go to Jiangnan.' Tip: take the sightseeing bus to mid-mountain, then walk or take the cable car up. Practical info: the area is at Guanzhuang Town, Jizhou District, Tianjin; ticket ¥78 in peak season and ¥60 off-peak; opening hours 07:30–17:30. Best season: autumn (September–November) is crisp and clear; spring (April–May) is also pleasant. Combine with Ancient Culture Street, the Five Great Avenues and the Tianjin Eye for a half- or full-day route. Confirm the day's opening and reservation policy before you go and allow ample time. In peak season or on holidays, book in advance, travel off-peak and allow time for queues and security checks.

Tip: Take the sightseeing bus to mid-mountain, then walk or take the cable car up.

• Address: Guanzhuang Town, Jizhou District, Tianjin
• Ticket: Peak season ¥78 / off-peak ¥60
• Opening: 07:30–17:30

The Porcelain House was created by the porcelain collector Zhang Lianzhi, who converted a century-old French villa and opened it to the public in September 2007. Inside and out, the building is encrusted with shards from historic kilns, including Tang sancai, Song and Yuan official wares and Ming and Qing treasures, and a pair of carved stone door blocks stands before the courtyard; Zhang Xueliang's former residence at No. 78 Chifeng Road is nearby for a combined visit. Highlights include the porcelain-clad villa, shards from historic kilns, the stone lion door blocks and the Chifeng Road villas. A century-old French villa on Chifeng Road, its walls and courtyard are encrusted with hundreds of millions of antique porcelain shards, and it is called a museum of Chinese antique porcelain. Tip: the interior is compact and queues are long on holidays, so go in the morning; photographing the exterior from the street needs no ticket. Practical info: the house is at 72 Chifeng Road, Heping District, Tianjin; ticket ¥50 adult and ¥30 concession; opening hours 09:00–19:00 (April–October, last entry 18:30). Best season: autumn (September–November) is crisp and clear; spring (April–May) is also pleasant.

Tip: The interior is compact and queues are long on holidays, so go in the morning; photographing the exterior from…

• Address: 72 Chifeng Road, Heping District, Tianjin
• Ticket: ¥50 adult / ¥30 concession
• Opening: 09:00–19:00 (April–October, last entry 18:30)