Things to Do in Tianjin

When the Tianjin Eye was completed in 2008, it officially became the first and only observation wheel in the world to be built over a bridge. The 394-foot (120-meter) tall wheel straddles the Hai River above the Yongle Bridge, offering stellar views (on clear days or nights) of this city of some 7.5 million people.

The wheel features 48 passenger pods, each with an eight person capacity. One rotation around the wheel takes about 30 minutes. The best time to ride is at night, when the wheel is illuminated in colorful neon lights, visible from around Tianjin.

Built during the Tang Dynasty (seventh to tenth century) and rebuilt in 984 AD, Dule Temple — also known as the Temple of Solitary Joy — is one of China’s oldest surviving wooden structures. Two of the Buddhist temple’s oldest structures also rank among the oldest. The Shan Gate, a single-story wooden structure, serves as the south entrance to the temple. The Guanyin Pavilion houses one of the biggest ancient statues of the goddess Guanyin in the country, measuring over 50 feet (16 meters) tall.

While the temple structure is significant for its ancient architecture, the interior impresses with its collection of colorful and intricate frescoes depicting scenes from Buddhist mythology. Guided tours of Tianjin often include a stop at Dule Temple, as well as the Huangyaguan Great Wall and Imperial Mausoleums.