Another less Tianjin-centric quyi art but one that is highly entertaining is the art of storytelling, which is also exhibited around the city’s teahouses and other performance spaces. Tianjin storytelling is delivered in a rapid way similar to that of xiangsheng, and audience members even participate in the dialogue from time to time.

An additional traditional Chinese art form that can be seen in Tianjin is Beijing opera. This is the most famous and well-known strain of Chinese opera, and some of the country’s best performing groups are based in Tianjin. Much emphasis is placed on costumes and makeup in Beijing opera, and the delicate movements of the performers are used in telling the story rather than the use of elaborate sets or props. The operas originated as court performances for dynastic emperors, but today anyone can enjoy them.

For a taste of more modern Tianjin entertainment, head out to a karaoke bar. Most frequently, karaoke (also known here as KTV) bars have rooms that can be rented out by small or large groups by the hour/half hour for private use. Young Chinese karaoke-goers get very into their songs, and generally take their performances more seriously than people tend to in Western karaoke bars — partly due to the fact that it can get expensive to rent out a karaoke box for the evening, so most young people only get to go out for karaoke sporadically. You’ll hear the old American karaoke standbys here, but you can also catch the latest and most gushily romantic Chinese pop songs.

In addition to karaoke, Tianjin also has the standard bars and nightclubs you’d find in any other cosmopolitan city. From pints at a sports pub to a fancy cocktail at the latest hip club, there’s no shortage of choices in this lively-at-night city.

[photo courtesy of Peter Fuchs]

For some more history, Tianjin’s museums are world-renowned, particularly the Natural History Museum and the Science and Technology Museum. If you’re interested in more locally-focused information, though, try the Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall, dedicated to the first premier of the PRC, or the Beiping-Tianjin Campaign Memorial Hall. To take home a bit of history, visit the Ancient Culture Street. Granted, it’s been transformed into a tourist destination and not all of the buildings and souvenirs are authentic. However, you can still find quite a few antiques and local knickknacks to take home with you, and some of the buildings have been preserved or restored to the historical style.

With the crowds and fast pace of the metropolis always surrounding you, you may find yourself in need of a break. Luckily city officials have chosen to preserve swaths of the city as green parkland, and these are the perfect place for a picnic or afternoon stroll. Central Park in Heping has beautifully maintained gardens and rockeries, and  Beining Park in Hebei is a series of ponds and pagodas interconnected by dozens of bridges. Huge Shuishang Park is also a nice place to spend a day, as the large lakes make a great spot for boating on a nice summer day. And Haihe Park is right along the river, the perfect place to get a good river view and to watch the world go by.

For the best-preserved parts of Tianjin’s history, though, you have to go out of town. Hop on a train and head north for the day. The pass in the Great Wall at Huangyaguan is one of the more impressive parts of the Great Wall, and the Buddhist temples that surround the peaks of Mount Pan are quite a sight to behold. Or check out the Qing dynasty tombs, where the kings, queens, and concubines of the Qing were laid to rest. The Solitary Joy (or Dule) Temple is also worth a visit, as a massive and beautifully built and preserved Buddhist temple with an important historical background.

[photo courtesy of dearbarbie]

Most famous of all Tianjin dishes is the goubuli baozi, or goubuli steamed buns. These are similar to many of the steamed buns you’ll find around China, but are large and plumply stuffed full of ground meat. Like any truly regional dish, they also have their own fable surrounding them: goubuli baozi means “the dog ignores the buns”, which comes from the story of the original creator. His nickname was “Dog”, and the story goes that he became so engrossed in making these delicious buns for visitors Tianjin that he began to ignore everyone else in his life. Try a couple of them at one of the many fancy restaurants around town that feature baozi as their specialty. And if you hear anyone mention “Go Believe” buns, this is what they’re talking about.

Another one of the “three delicacies” of Tianjin is the  erduoyan zhagao, or “ear-hole fried cake”. Don’t worry about the odd name – they just originated on Ear-Hole Street, over a century ago. These little fritters are made from red bean paste that’s been wrapped in a rice-based dough, and then deep fried in sesame oil. Sweet and a little bit savory, these cakes are almost like fried jelly donuts – but approximately a bajillion times more delicious.

The final of the “three” is the ma hua, or fried bread twists. These look like simply twisted breads, but are made from high quality flour, are fried, and contain a variety of fillings such as bean paste. They’re best known for their lasting power, as they will stay crispy and edible for months. Take a couple home, so other people can get a chance to taste these yummy twists.

Less famous but also originating from Tianjin is the jianbing guozi, most similar to a crepe or latke pancake. Made from eggs and a variety of vegetables and sauces and then wrapped around crispy dough, these are another great street snack that you’ll find yourself craving long after you leave.

To find all of these, head to one of the big food markets or the Ancient Cultural Street. Here you can find restaurants and street stalls where both tourists and locals find their favorite snack and dig in. Just prepare yourself for all of the smells – once they hit you, you won’t be able to say no.

[photo courtesy of Helga's Lobster Stew]

The most impressive sites near Tianjin are to the north, and include a section of the Great Wall, Mount Pan, and the Solitary Joy Temple. For easy access stay in town a hotel near the railroad station, such as the Astor, or head north and stay in one of the smaller hotels in Ji country. Things are less fancy but more serene up here, and there are a couple of very clean and comfortable options. Try the Yuyang Hotel for a stay near the town square, or the Egle Lang for lake views.

To take home a bit of history, shop at one of the markets in town that sell antiques for a fraction of what you’d pay in Beijing – especially if you relish a bit of haggling. For closest access to China’s largest antiques market and the Ancient Cultural Street, both excellent places to shop for antiques and other trinkets and souvenirs, you’ll want to be in Heping district. The Ocean Hotel and Kind Hotel are both within short walking distance.

Or if you’d like your hotel itself to exhibit some old-world splendor, there are lots of attractive choices. British and French concessions here in the 19th and 20th century resulted in quite a number of European-style buildings, many of which still remain. Some have been converted into hotels, and there’s no better place to stay to get a feel for Tianjin of a century past. The Astor Hotel is a beautiful example of the British colonial style of the mid-1800s, and there are plenty of historical artifacts that have been preserved from the building’s original state. There are excellent Chinese and Western restaurants as well, from casual to black tie. Also near the Astor is the Tianjin First Hotel, aptly named as one of the first hotels in Tianjin. It’s in another historical building, dating back to the early 1900s.

[photo courtesy of jaeming]