Living in Tianjin

China is home to two of the world’s great megacities, Beijing and Shanghai, each with populations exceeding 20 million. On the other hand, second-tier cities like Tianjin offer a refreshing alternative to their hectic pace. As China’s fourth-largest city, Tianjin has over 15 million residents and serves as the former port city for Beijing, facilitating its access to the sea and global trade routes.

Expat life in Tianjin

For expats, life in Tianjin combines vibrant culture with a more relaxed lifestyle. The cost of living in Tianjin is generally lower than in larger cities, making it an attractive option for those working or studying in Tianjin. With its rich history and diverse opportunities, Tianjin is a city worth discovering.

Why choose to live in Tianjin?

A more relaxed pace of life

Visitors to Beijing and Shanghai often notice the immense scale of these cities, which brings challenges like traffic jams, higher prices, and large crowds. In contrast, Tianjin offers a more relaxed pace of life. Residents and expats alike enjoy serene walks along the beautiful HaiHe River and leisurely explore the historic European concession areas in WuDaDao.

Compact and connected: Shopping and leisure within reach

While it is a large city, Tianjin has a compact and connected feel, with downtown shopping, sports, and leisure facilities located within a few square kilometres of the central business district. Strolling, jogging, or cycling is easy, allowing you to appreciate the city’s historic and cultural highlights, all while being close to inviting coffee shops and restaurants.

Cost of living in Tianjin

Tianjin offers a lower cost of living compared to major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, making it an attractive destination for expatriates. Families and professionals alike will find Tianjin a comfortable place to live.

There are plenty of housing options available in Tianjin, ranging from modern apartments in bustling city areas to spacious accommodations in quieter neighbourhoods, with costs tailored to a variety of budgets. The robust public transport system ensures seamless connectivity at affordable rates, and essentials like dining, groceries, and utilities are reasonably priced.

With its blend of affordability and quality of life, Tianjin provides a comfortable and convenient environment that appeal to expats.

Discover Tianjin: History, culture, and lifestyle near the school

The heart of Tianjin’s traditional charm is just minutes from the school, centred around the vibrant Drum Tower area. Here, you’ll find a delightful mix of arts and crafts shops, antique stores, and restaurants serving delicious local specialties. A short stroll along the river takes you to the former foreign concessions—historical areas once controlled by countries like Britain, Germany, the US, and Japan in the 19th century. These sections are filled with unique architecture and stories from the past. Exploring WuDaDao or the beautifully restored Italian concession offers a fascinating glimpse into Tianjin’s rich history.

For a scenic escape, Tianjin also boasts its own quiet stretch of the Great Wall, just a two-hour hike from the city. Away from the busy crowds near Beijing, the Huangyaguan section promises peaceful, breathtaking views – a perfect adventure into one of the world’s most iconic landmarks. Whether you’re exploring the city’s cultural heritage or its natural beauty, Tianjin offers a lifestyle that blends history and modern convenience, making it an unforgettable place to live, study, work, or visit.

Modern Convenience of Living in Tianjin

Tianjin isn’t just about history—it’s a rapidly modernising city with an incredible pace of development. Exciting new projects emerge every year, showcasing the city’s ambition and growth. Tianjin’s international airport connects to destinations across Europe, Asia, and Australasia, making global travel easy. The city also has four major train stations linking to China’s expanding high-speed rail network. Beijing is just 33 minutes away by bullet train, and you can reach Shanghai in only four hours on a super-fast train.

Tianjin transportation

Within Tianjin, a well-developed subway system with six lines offers clean, frequent, and affordable transport throughout the city. Above ground, buses, taxis, and DiDi cars (China’s version of Uber) provide convenient and safe travel options, with English-language support available via the app. Whether commuting locally or across China, getting around Tianjin is fast, easy, and cost-effective.

How is Tianjin is becoming more accessible?

Improved air quality

Moving to China can feel overwhelming, especially with concerns about the language barrier and air quality. However, Tianjin is actively addressing these challenges. The government has made significant progress in improving air quality, with a 33% drop in harmful pollutants like PM2.5 over the past year, according to Greenpeace East Asia. Even more improvements are planned for the future.

Overcome the language barrier

As for the language barrier, Tianjin is becoming much more accessible to non-Chinese speakers. Thanks to advanced mobile apps, even those with no knowledge of Mandarin can easily communicate and navigate the city.

Quality of life in Tianjin

Tianjin offers an exceptional quality of life for expats, with lower costs compared to tier-one cities. Apartments are spacious, modern, and well-equipped, while premium brands like Apple, Zara, and Nike are easy to find in malls. Western restaurants, bars, and 5-star hotels are plentiful, and the city's vibrant arts scene, centred around the Tianjin Grand Theatre, attracts international performers. Touring groups from around the world regularly perform here, and Tianjin's proximity to Beijing makes A-list tours of China easily accessible.

Is Tianjin a good place to live?

Ranked China's third most liveable city by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2018, Tianjin provides an ideal base for exploring China and beyond. Whether you're here to work, study or visit, Tianjin welcomes you.