Tianjin, the largest commercial and foreign trade city in North China, has a population of 4.24 million.
  In the Yuan Dynasty (1271--1368), Haijin Town was set up; Tianjinwei was instituted in its place in the early Ming (1404); and during the years of the Yong Zheng reign of Qing (1723--1735), Tianjin County was established with further developments made. It was on the basis of this county there has been developed since 1860 such a commercial and industrial city as present-day Tianjin, and a modern port city as well.

  Major scenic attractions include Water-Borne Park, which is three-fifths covered by water and graced with 13 islands, pavilions, towers, halls and galleries in a traditional South China style; the Temple of Lone Happiness, a famous Buddhist structure first built in the Tang (618--907) and rebuilt in the 2nd year of the Tonghe reign of the Liao (984); and Mount Panshan, known as the first mountain height to the east of Beijing and a famous site of historic interest for its many old inscriptions and poems by emperors, generals and high-ranking outpalace by Emperor Qian Long of the Qing (1644--1911).

  Added interest will be found by tourists in visiting the home of North China New Year pictures, Yangliuqing Village, outside Tianjin Municipality, where manufacture of New Year pictures is a traditional line to every peasant household.
  Tianjin boasts sufficient modern facilities for developing tourism. To offer first-class services to tourists, there are the Tianjin Guest House, Tianjin Yingbin Hotel, Friendship Hotel, Tianjin Hotel, Tianjin No.1 Hotel, Tianjin Crystal Palace Hotel, Tianjin Kaiyue Hotel, Lishunde Hotel, etc.