History

The history of Tianjin should go back to the construction of Great Canal in Sui Dynasty and subsequent development of canal transportation. In the middle of Tang Dynasty, this place became a port for transporting grains and silk goods from South China . In Song and Jin Dynasty, this place was named Zhigu Stockaded-village, While in Yuan Dynasty, the name was changed to Jinhai Township . When it came to the first year of Yongle Time in Ming Dynasty( 1403 A .D.), this place got its final name Tianjin , meaning the place for emperor to go across a river. In the next year, a castle was established in Tianjin because of its martial importance. In 1860, Tianjin became a treaty port. After the establishment of P. R. C., Tianjin became a municipality directly under the Central Government.

Geo-location and Population

Tianjin lies in the northeast of North China Plain and the lower reach of Haihe River . To the northwest Tianjin faces Yanshan Mountain and to the southeast it faces Bohai Sea . It lasts 117 kilometers from Tianjin east border to west and 189 kilometers from south to north. As a result, Tianjin 's total area is 11919.7 square kilometers. From Tianjin Downtown to that of Beijing , it is 137 kilometers. As military is concerned, Tianjin to Beijing is just as lips to teeth. Its east longitude is between 116'43" and 118'04" and its north latitude is between 38'34" and 40'15".

Tianjin is composed of 15 districts and 3 counties. The 15 districts are Heping, Hedong, Hexi, Nankai , Hebei , Hongqiao, Tanggu, Hangu, Dagang, Dongli, Xiqing, Jinnan, Beicheng, Bodi, and Wuqing District. And the 3 counties are Ninghe, Su, and Jinghai County .

Tianjin has a population of 10.11 million at the end of 2003, among which 3.76 million are agricultural population; 5.50 million are nonagricultural population (China Statistics Yearbook 2003). The minority population in Tianjin is 0.22 million.

Climate

Tianjin has a continental-type monsoon climate of warm temperature zone with an annual average temperature of about 12.2 ℃ (53.96℉). Usually, January is the coldest month of the whole year with a monthly average temperature of about -4 ℃ (24.8℉) while the warmest month is July, whose average temperature is about 26.8 ℃ (80.24℉). The average annual rainfall is 559.1mm , over 80 per cent of which concentrates in summer; the average relative humidity is about 64 per cent, and the annual sunshine time is about 1,994 hours (based on data offered by China Statistics Year Book).

City Infrastructure

Tianjin Binhai International Airport is the second top Airport in North China Area, only after Beijing Capital Airport . The airport has an annual transportation capacity of 90,000 flights with a passengers' throughput of 2.60 million person-times. The parking apron's area is 400,000 square meters, offering a capacity of stopping 40 medium-sized or large-sized planes simultaneously.

Tianjin Railway Station is in the central position of North China transportation. Jin-Shan, Jin-Hu, Jin-Jiu Railway intersect in Tianjin . As a result you can go to most of the main cities in China by train from Tianjin , such as cities in the 3 Northeast Provinces, to cities of North China , etc.

At the end of 2003, the length of all highways in Tianjin 's territories adds up to 4084 kilometers in whole, with a highway coverage ratio of 0.343 kilometers per square kilometers. The highways of Jin-Tang, Jin-Ha, Jin-Yu, Jin-Fu, and Jin-Tong Highway connect Tianjin directly with the 3 Northeast Provinces, most parts of North China, Zhejing , Jiangsu , Shandong , Guangdong , Fujian , etc.

There were 6066 buses and 31939 taxis in Tianjin at the end of 2003. In the whole year, the number of passengers carried by public vehicles was 620.48 million person-times. By 2003, there had been no trolley buses or subways in Tianjin .

t the end of 2003, the number of Tianjin telephone users was 3.54 million, with an average of 35.0 sets per 100 persons. And the number of mobile phone users was 3.83 million.

Economy

In 2003, Tianjin got a GDP of RMB 244.8 billion yuan, and GDP per Capita was RMB 26532 yuan according to China Statistics Yearbook 2004.

Main Attractions

here are many attractions for visitors to Tianjin , such as Memorial Hall of the Boxer Uprising, Shi Family Mansion , Guangdong Guild Hall, Haihe River , Tianjin Radio & TV Broadcasting Tower , Grand Mercy Temple , Ancient Culture Street , Water Park , etc. And Haihe River , meandering through the downtown area of the city, with a total length of 75km , is a must-see scenic axis of Tianjin .

Along the river, there are many historic sites and charming views. The alongshore Haihe Park, with a 19.8-km-long bank and an area of 2.3 hectares, is covered with grass, trees, flowers, waterfalls and dotted with modern designed bronze sculptures. Many unique bridges crossing the river link the beautiful scenery of both banks in a whole.