The afternoon I arrived in Tianjin, the sunlight felt soft, almost silky — the kind that slows your steps without asking. I made my way south of the city center to a quiet lakeside retreat called Tianta Lake Scenic Area.
Despite the word “lake” in its name, this place is far more than a simple urban park. It’s a rare space where modern city energy blends seamlessly with nature — and where Tianjin seems to extend a gentle, welcoming invitation to travelers from around the world. This isn’t a landmark that shouts for attention. It’s one that quietly earns it.
First Steps by the Water: A City Reflected in Stillness
As you reach the lakeshore, one structure immediately commands the skyline — a tall, futuristic tower rising from the center of the water. This is the Tianjin TV Tower, locally known as Tianta (天塔), a symbol of the city and one of Tianjin’s most recognizable landmarks. Slender yet powerful in silhouette, it feels almost sci-fi — like a spacecraft paused between sky and water.
Gentle ripples move across the lake’s surface. The water is unexpectedly clear for a downtown setting. Locals stroll along the paths, couples walk hand in hand, and occasionally a small boat drifts quietly across the lake. Reflections of the tower, clouds, and laughter blur together on the water. For first-time visitors to China, especially those arriving from fast-paced Western cities, the calm here feels immediate — like a soft landing for the senses.
Above the City: Climbing the Tianjin TV Tower
Built in 1991, the Tianjin Radio and Television Tower once ranked as the second tallest tower in Asia and the fourth tallest in the world, standing at an impressive 415.2 meters.
Things to Do in the Tower
- High-speed elevator to the observation deck (around 270 meters high)
- Panoramic city views over Tianjin’s skyline, rivers, and neighborhoods
- Viewing telescopes for long-distance sightseeing on clear days
- Rotating space-themed restaurant — dine while the city slowly turns beneath you
Buying a ticket to go up the tower is an absolute must. The staff are welcoming, and basic English communication is easy. The process feels organized, safe, and comfortable — something international travelers always appreciate.
From the observation platform, Tianjin unfolds in layers: winding rivers, modern districts, older neighborhoods, and faint traces of traditional hutongs in the distance. What makes Tianta special isn’t just the height — it’s the perspective. You don’t just see a skyline. You feel the rhythm of the city. Staff members patiently guide visitors on how to use the telescopes, a small but meaningful gesture that makes the experience more personal — especially for first-time travelers in China.
Slow Lakeside Living: Walking, Boating, and Local Life
After leaving the tower, I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the lake itself. The walking paths around Tianta Lake Scenic Area are wide, flat, and designed for slow travel — the kind where you stop often, not because you’re tired, but because the view keeps asking for attention. I met a few Western travelers who had rented pedal boats earlier in the day and spoke about drifting across the lake while watching the sunset reflections. Curious, I followed their lead.
Renting a pedal boat was simple and well-organized. Clear safety signs, calm water traffic, and easy navigation made the experience relaxing rather than stressful. Onshore, local families fed birds, kids played near the water, and grandparents took photos — daily life unfolding naturally around a tourist attraction.
This is where Tianta Lake shines:
Not as a “must-see attraction,” but as a living space shared by locals and travelers alike.
Nightfall Magic: Lights, Water, and Reflection
If you stay until evening, don’t leave early. When night falls, the Tianjin TV Tower lights up, and the entire lake transforms. The tower and water seem to speak to each other through reflections and color.
Night Experiences at Tianta Lake
- Musical fountain shows with synchronized lights and sound
- Water screen movies on weekends and holidays
- Illuminated tower reflections across the lake
- Evening lakeside walks under soft city lights
The music fountains dance with rhythm, and the water screen projections feel almost surreal — light and motion floating across the surface of the lake. It’s not loud tourism. It’s atmospheric beauty — the kind that stays with you longer than photos.
Travel Tips for Visiting Tianta Lake Scenic Area
Location: Tianta Lake Scenic Area is located near Nie Gong Bridge, east of Zijinshan Road, and west of Jinliu Road, in Tianjin’s urban core.
Public Transportation: Bus routes: 8, 16, 94, 161, 632, 658, 677, 858, 859
Entrance Fee: 50 RMB per person
Opening Hours: 08:00 – 21:30
Recommended Visit Duration: Full day (or half-day if combined with other city attractions)
If your time in Tianjin is limited, Tianta Lake Scenic Area is perfect for a short urban escape — lakeside walking, tower views, and boating experiences all in one place. If you have more time, let Tianta Lake be part of a broader Tianjin journey: Explore the historic Ancient Culture Street, Ride the iconic Tianjin Eye Ferris Wheel, Wander the Italian Style Town, Discover hidden alleyways and traditional neighborhoods. Tianjin isn’t a city that rushes to impress — it reveals itself slowly. And Tianta Lake is one of its most gentle, beautiful introductions.
Beijing Wildlife Park is located in the forest in Daxing District, about 40 kilometers away from the urban area. There are more than two hundred animals in the park, with tens of thousands of them. It is a paradise for children to visit and learn. Many animals in the garden adopt free-range methods. You can observe the animals up close in the iron cage, and you can also feed them, which is full of fun.
The end of the car dealership is the starting point of the northern line. There is a mini animal free-range area where you can rent a battery car to enter. The animals here are relatively safe. You can feed herbivores such as alpacas and deer, and you can also interact with the animals.
Songhua River is one of the seven major rivers in China and the largest tributary of Heilongjiang in China. Songhua River was called Nanhe River in Sui Dynasty, Nashui River in Tang Dynasty, Yak River and Huntong River in Liao and Jin Dynasty, and Huntong River, Songhua River in Qing Dynasty. It flows through the two provinces of Jilin and Heilongjiang, with a drainage area of 557,200 square kilometers, covering Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia in the four northeastern provinces, with an annual runoff of 76.2 billion cubic meters.
In winter, the frozen Songhua River ice is about half a meter thick. People and horse-drawn carriages can walk on the ice. When there is snow, it will be soft. This section of the river in Harbin is about 100 meters wide. On the river surface near the Monument to the Heroes of Flood Control, there are skiing circles, skating tracks, ice games, snow tanks, and ice bike rides. Adults and children can experience it.
Manting Park is located in the southeast of Jinghong City, Yunnan Province. It has hills and rivers, as well as rich ethnic cultural landscapes. It is a natural village-style park and a historic city park in Xishuangbanna. In Manting Park, travelers can go to the vine plant area and the Peacock Garden to see the animals and plants, and they can also visit the Dai and Thai-style buildings, and they can also watch the singing and dancing performances of ethnic minorities in the evening.
There are 8 scenic spots in Manting Park, including ethnic culture square, vine plant area, tropical orchid garden, peacock garden, release lake, Buddhist culture area, tree planting memorial area, and tea garden culture area. The scenic spot embodies the three themes of “Dai royal culture, Buddhist culture, and Dai folk culture”. You can row boats in the park and see wild bears, boars, pythons, peacocks and various birds. It is open for tourists during the day and has the taste of “Imperial Garden”. In the evening, the “Lancang River•Mekong River Night” theatrical performance and bonfire party are the biggest highlights of the park and are worth watching.
TEDA Aircraft Theme Park is a reconstruction of the aircraft carrier Kiev. The internal facilities and combat equipment of the aircraft carrier have been reset. You can visit and understand the scenes of operations and life on the aircraft carrier, as well as large-scale performances that reproduce the aircraft carrier operations. At the same time, the architecture of the scenic spot and many performances are themed to show Russian customs, which is grand and wonderful.
After walking through Russian style street, you will come to the square in the center of the scenic spot. There is a uniquely designed building on the east and north sides of the square. After visiting the two buildings, you will come to the aircraft carrier on the seashore. The interior of the carrier has been restored to the scene of service. There are dozens of projects in the ship, such as the combat command center, the intelligence module, the aircraft carrier science and technology museum, the ship development history, the sailor tilt cabin, and the warrior corridor. There are photo displays, artifact displays, and many weapons facilities. In addition, the most popular performance in the scenic spot-Carrier Storm, is held every day on the aircraft carrier, which truly reproduces the intense scenes of the aircraft carrier battle, and it is very exciting and can be watched in the stands outside the aircraft carrier. At the same time, there will be Russian singing and dancing performances every day on the flyover outside the aircraft carrier, which is gorgeous and romantic, and just don’t miss it.