Located in north China, a mere 1.5 hours drive from Beijing, Tianjin is a good pick for a travel destination. Built in 1404, the city has long been a major seaport and gateway to the nation's capital and now makes for an important industrial and financial hub in the country.

Tianjin is a good example of a mixture of Chinese and Western features. Its historic European-style architecture, ancient Chinese cultural streets, beautiful coastline and picturesque mountain views attract millions of visitors every year.[China.org.cn/Photo by Lu Yue'e]