China (Tianjin) Sept 2010 D-1

Hostel: Tianjin City Youth Hostel - CNY50 dorm (1 night)
Bus: CNY14
Food & groceries: CNY19
Total expenses incurred: CNY83

After flying for 6 hours , our Air Asia flight arrived in Tianjin at 14.35. We took an airport shuttle bus (CNY10) which dropped us at the terminal, next to the Tianjin train station. From there, we took a public bus to our hostel.

It was a misty weather in Tianjin in early Sept - polluted air dominated the entire city, not a good time to land in Tianjin !

After our hostel check in, we spent the whole afternoon visiting a few tourist sites in the city area ie Drum Tower, Heping Lu, the colonial buildings near the Jiefang bridge etc. This was my 4th visit to Tianjin since I started travelling to China in 1997.

I and my brother had a Guilin steam boat style rice noodle (CNY26 for 2) for dinner at a restaurant in the shopping district area. Next morning at 10.00am, we took a high speed bullet train (350km per hour - CNY58 2nd class ticket) from the Tianjin train station to our next destination, Beijing. The entire journey took less than 30 minutes. Very comfortable ride indeed ! You may skip staying overnight in Tianjin. Upon your arrival you can just take the bullet train going straight to Beijing, a more exciting city awaits you to explore ....

" In the late 1800 & early 1900's, Tianjin was an old trading post for the British, French, Japanese, Germans, Italians, Belgians & Austro-Hungarians. Old colonial buildings, churches, ancient culture street, Drum Tower and if you love to eat tit-bits and street food - Tianjin welcomes you !

The Secrets of Life: Life is short. Drink the good wine first "