This church really stands out as architectural eye-candy. Constructed in 1917 by French Jesuit missionaries this Tianjin landmark features three massive green domes making it easy to spot miles away. The façade adds to the building's novel appearance with a series of orange and brown horizontal stripes. Given its visual prominence it boggles many minds over how this church survived Mao's cultural revolution. Today it is fully embraced as one of Tianjin's greatest buildings. Morning church services are held daily.
Redefining the structural setting of a library, the Tianjin Binhai Library is truly one of its kind. A milestone in the design and architectural world, this public library is characterized by bookshelves that cascade from floor to ceiling. A gigantic sphere sits at the heart of the space housing an auditorium, which can accommodate more than 100 people. The contiguous curved bookshelves flank the central sphere, giving it the famous title The Eye. The library is bathed in pristine white, against which numerous books are stacked, making for a stunning sight. Subtle yet spectacularly unique in its design and form, this library has a number of nooks and cozy corners. The space is huge, but you can still find a spot of your own to lose yourself. Completed merely within a span of three years, this public library is not to be missed.
Designed by Dutch architectural firm MVRDV, the Tianjin Binhai Library is a splendid whitewashed structure that spreads over six floors. Covering an area of 33,700 square meters (362743.78 square feet), the library boasts of a capacity to hold 1.2 million books in the bookshelves that line up from the floors to the ceiling. Ironically due to a tight construction schedule, the library’s main atrium is actually not allowed to store a lot of books. Instead, images of books line over all the shelves with a few books scattered across the library. The atrium will now be used as an expansive reading room for those who want to read, study or research. There is also a one-of-a-kind sphere shaped auditorium right in the center of the library that can hold private events for up to 110 people. Meeting rooms, offices and computer stations are also housed within the library. If you want to catch a glimpse of a stunning architectural marvel, then certainly head to the Tianjin Binhai Library.
In a city not known for lofty edifices of architectural wonder, this tower truly enjoys prominent status. Appraised as the fourth largest radio tower in the world it jabs 415 meters high. For those who cringe at heights, the surrounding grounds feature a park-like setting full of rose gardens. Of course, it would not be a TV tower without the proverbial rotating restaurant, which is worth stopping in for a bite to eat whilst you're exposed to impressive views below.
Depending on personal taste, this collection of stores and stalls is viewed either as a fiendish tourist trap, or as Tianjin's superstar attraction. False red and green painted wooden storefronts capped by elaborate pagoda styled tiled roofs canyon the street so as to resemble 19th century China. Yes, it is all fake, but yes it works. Souvenirs are plenty with a heavy emphasis on teapots, clay figurines, swords, musical instruments, coins and books. Restaurants are numerous too. Admission is free.
New entertainment complex features a movie theater, a stage theater, cafes and more just across the river from the Tianjin Train Station.