Tianjin Transportation

I was working at the outskirts of Tianjin.As usually I hired a Taxi driver(it may take some time to find a taxi driver which speak or understand a bit of English but sooner or later you find someone)Simply bargain a rate and change phone numbers.The Taxi driver I hired was with me more than 3months and I have been very satisfied.Most of my freetime I was walking/hiking through the city.Tianjin is easy to explore if your hotel,stay is located at the center of the town.But to take a taxi is pretty easy and rather cheap.If you like to go to Beijing I would advise the train(problem could be the language-to go from Tianjin to Beijing is easy,end of station,travel....back from Beijing to Tianjin you probably need help...)People have been very friendly and helped me out a lot.Be aware that most of the people do not speak a foreign language!!!!

Like its counterpart in Beijing, the Tianjin Railway station is new, modern and impressive.

There are plenty of seats, eating places and souvenir shops to last minute "Ma Hua" dessert. However, I observed items like "Beijing Opening Ceremony" DVD are priced much higher than at major bookstores in Beijing - cost of rental?

As there is allocated seating, there is no rush in queueing and boarding usually start at 15 minutes before departure. As there are many trains, just remember the train ride number, what time and which gate to board.

There are many river bridges and landmark buildings along Haihe river.

So there is a flourishing boat cruise from basic touristy to meal included cruises up and down the river.

For anyone who enjoy a river trip, this is not to be missed. Go to the bridge near Guwen Da Jie - Ancient Culture Street and Wanghailou Church and you will several ticket booths along the river bank selling different types of boat trips.

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This is the best way to see the city. There are many buses running in all directions and going to various destinations in the city.

Unlike Beijing which is more organized, it is more challenging to get around and you need language skills or a Tianjin map to point to where you are going. to.

Bus fare is also more expensive than Beijing. 1.50 or 2 yuan comparet to Beijing standard 1 yuan for inner city trips.

Also buses come non-air con and air con. The double decker buses are a treat. At each bus top, the bus numbers are listed and where the buses will be stopping. Unfortunately, everything is in Chinese.

Downtown Tianjin is much smaller than Beijing and so it is shorter distance to get to your tourist destination if you take a taxi.

Also there are no ring roads and so there is a lot of traffic lights.

So get a map or your destination written in Chinese to show the driver.

Like in Beijing, taxi runs by meter fare.

This is a different mode of getting around in Tianjin.

It may be fun along the French Quarters and along the river where the traffic is lown and an open air view is great.

But recommended if you are stuck in the middle of traffic jam with fumes emanating from noisy cars and buses.

Make sure you negotiate and agree with the price if it is a package of taking you around to here and there and time limit and agreed drop off location.

Compared with Beijing, it is possible to use bicycle to get to most of your tourist destinations in Tianjin.

I saw a few Western tourists pedalling around. The road is fairly flat and so it a feasible option. But you got to get a good map. The map I bought there was all in Chinese and it was not easy to find a bookstore that sells one.

So better to get your English/Chinese bilingual city map of Tianjin at a major bookstore in Beijing and plan your bicycle route.

There are limited subway lines in Tainjin and so using the bus is better.

Many subway stations are constructed and lines are expanded.

Hopefully soon it will be like Beijing where you can get around to most places fast and cheaply by subway. Until then, not worth the trouble to get around by subway, my opinion.