With an enormous number of shops and a wide selection of merchandise, it is no wonder shopping is a major pastime in Tianjin. The entire stretch from Hepinglu to Zhongxin Park is an ideal shopping street as the area buzzes with activity until late evening. Theaters, specialty shops, restaurants, departmental stores, and ice-cream parlors line both sides of the street.

Binjiangdao is another treat for shoppers, as there are eight blocks of building devoted to commerce. With over 100 street stalls selling clothes and countless curio shops, boutiques and emporiums, you can find virtually anything from silk flowers to chamberpots! This is also an area for a lively night market, which is thronged by theatergoers and shoppers every night.

Tianjin is home to eight carpet factories. Visit any one of the eight manufacturers for good bargains if you are searching for small tapestries and handmade carpets in traditional and modern designs. Kites are popular souvenirs to buy in China; a commendable place to get these articles would be the Arts and Crafts factory at Huanghedao where you will also find Wei kites, named after the master craftsman, Wei Yuan Tai. In Tianjin, look out for New Year posters, which are supposed to be posted on front doors during the festive season. These lunar New Year posters are believed to bring good luck and make interesting gifts.

Tianjin is well known for its food - make sure you don't leave without sampling some of its speciality cakes and pastries.