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Tian Jin
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Tianjin is one of the four direct-controlled municipalities of the People’s Republic of China. Located in the northeastern North China Plain at the lower reaches of the Hai River basin, it borders the Bohai Sea to the east, the Yanshan Mountains to the north, and Beijing to the west, serving as the capital’s maritime gateway and the largest port city in northern China.
Officially fortified as a garrison town (Tianjin Wei) in 1404 during the Ming Dynasty, Tianjin has more than 600 years of urban history. As one of China’s earliest cities to open to the outside world, it once hosted concessions of nine foreign powers, leaving behind a rich collection of Western-style villas that earned it the reputation of a “museum of a thousand architectures.”
Today, Tianjin is a national central city, the economic center of the Bohai Rim region, and an advanced manufacturing R&D base. As a key pillar of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei coordinated development strategy, it is building itself into a modern socialist metropolis.
Its unique blend of Chinese and Western cultures, old and new, together with strong medical, educational, and industrial capabilities, makes Tianjin an international medical travel destination with both cultural charm and high-quality health services.
We noticed that countless international patients urgently need a trustworthy local team who truly understands China’s medical system. Therefore, we gathered professional medical talents, rooted in China’s medical industry, and built JoyfulMedical. We are not a cold intermediary; we are the bridge between global patients and China’s high-quality medical resources.
13.64
Permanent resident population(million)
11,966
Administrative area(square kilometers)
1.80
Total GDP (trillion/RMB)
16
Municipal districts
- Local core medical strengths
A Leading Medical Center in Northern China
Tianjin is a major medical center in northern China, with medical resources and academic standards ranking among the top in the country.
By the end of 2024, the city had over 6,800 medical and health institutions of various types, including approximately 30 tertiary Class A (3A) hospitals. The number of licensed physicians per 1,000 permanent residents reached 3.9, and hospital beds per 1,000 people reached 6.2 — both above the national average.
Tianjin Medical University is a national “211 Project” key medical university, while Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine leads the country in acupuncture. Academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering and national-level medical talents converge in the city.
Tianjin has formed nationally renowned specialty clusters in hematology, oncology, organ transplantation, urology, neurosurgery, cardiovascular medicine, orthopedics, and acupuncture.
Leveraging the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integration strategy, Tianjin actively receives high-quality medical resources from Beijing, while Binhai New Area is rapidly developing international medical services, cell therapy industry, and smart healthcare, providing high-level, diversified medical and health services to patients at home and abroad.
30
Grade II-A hospitals
1
National medical centers
3.9
Physicians per 1,000 residents
6.2
Hospital beds per 1,000 residents
National Leadership in Hematology
Leukemia / Aplastic Anemia / Lymphoma / Stem Cell Transplantation
The Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences is the only 3A specialty hospital dedicated to blood diseases in China.
Backed by six national platforms including the National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases and the State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, it has consistently ranked No. 1 in hematology in the Fudan China Hospital Specialty Rankings.
It represents national standards in leukemia, aplastic anemia, lymphoma, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and CAR-T cell therapy.
Medical Education & Talent Hub
Medical Education / Clinical Research / Acupuncture
Tianjin Medical University is a national “211 Project” key medical university, and Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a national “Double First-Class” university.
Academician Shi Xuemin’s “Xingnao Kaiqiao” (awakening the brain and opening the orifices) acupuncture technique is world-renowned.
The city hosts national clinical research centers, state key laboratories, and numerous national key clinical specialties, training large numbers of high-level medical professionals and underpinning Tianjin’s continued medical leadership.
Clusters of Advanced Specialties
Oncology / Organ Transplantation / Orthopedics / Neurosurgery
Tianjin has formed nationally leading specialty clusters.
Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital ranks among the top oncology hospitals in China.
Tianjin First Central Hospital is one of Asia’s largest organ transplantation centers, capable of performing liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, and small intestine transplants.
Tianjin Hospital’s orthopedics department is among the first national key clinical specialties, renowned for trauma orthopedics.
Tianjin Medical University General Hospital boasts strong neurosurgery and urology departments.
BTH Integration & Binhai International Healthcare
International Healthcare / Biomedicine / Smart Healthcare
Tianjin is a key pillar of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei integration strategy, actively receiving non-capital functions and high-quality medical resources from Beijing.
Landmark projects such as Peking Union Medical College Hospital Tianjin have opened.
Binhai New Area is accelerating the development of an international medical service cluster, with Tianjin Raffles Hospital — China’s first wholly foreign-owned 3A general hospital — now in operation.
Emerging industries such as cell ecology, biomedicine, and smart healthcare are flourishing, forming a dual-city medical development pattern of “Jincheng” and “Bincheng.”
- List of key medical institutions
Tianjin Medical University General Hospital
Founded in 1946, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital is the largest comprehensive university hospital in Tianjin integrating medical care, teaching, research, and prevention.
It is the Western medicine center of Tianjin and a national “Hundred Best Hospital.”
With strong comprehensive capabilities, its neurosurgery department ranks among the top in China, and it excels in neurology, cardiology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, respiratory and critical care medicine, and anesthesiology.
- No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin
Key Speclalties
Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS & PUMC
Founded in 1957, the Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital is the only 3A specialty hospital dedicated to blood diseases in China and has ranked No. 1 in hematology in the Fudan China Hospital Specialty Rankings for consecutive years.
It comprises 12 clinical centers including anemia, leukemia, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and lymphoma.
The hospital hosts six national platforms such as the National Clinical Research Center for Blood Diseases and the State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, serving as China’s national flagship for blood disease care and research.
- No. 288 Nanjing Road, Heping District, Tianjin
Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital
Founded in 1861, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital is one of China’s largest cancer prevention, treatment, and research bases.
A large 3A cancer specialty hospital integrating care, teaching, research, and prevention, it consistently ranks among the top oncology hospitals in the Fudan China Hospital Specialty Rankings.
It leads China in breast, lung, liver, gastric, esophageal, lymphoma, head and neck, and gynecologic cancers, and operates a new campus in Binhai New Area serving North China and beyond.
- West Huanhu Road, Tiyuanbei, Hexi District, Tianjin
Key Speclalties
Tianjin First Central Hospital
Tianjin First Central Hospital is a 3A general hospital distinguished by organ transplantation.
Its Dongfang Organ Transplantation Center is one of Asia’s largest professional organ transplant centers, approved by the National Health Commission to perform liver, kidney, heart, pancreas, small intestine, lung, cornea, and pancreatic islet cell transplantation.
Its cumulative liver transplant volume and long-term survival rates consistently rank among China’s top.
The new campus in the Hou Tai scenic area has a main building of 380,000 square meters and 2,000 beds.
- No. 24 Fukang Road, Nankai District, Tianjin (Main Campus)
Key Speclalties
Tianjin Hospital
Formed by the merger of the former Tianjin Hospital and Tianhe Hospital, Tianjin Hospital is a 3A general hospital with a distinguished orthopedics advantage, integrating care, teaching, research, rehabilitation, and prevention.
Orthopedics is among the first national key clinical specialties, with 9 sub-specialties and 28 orthopedic clinical departments.
It is nationally renowned for trauma orthopedics, spine surgery, joint surgery, bone oncology, and foot and ankle surgery, and is an affiliated hospital of Tianjin University.
- No. 406 Jiefang South Road, Hexi District, Tianjin (Hexi Campus)
First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of TCM
Founded in 1954, the First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine is a national 3A TCM hospital, a national TCM clinical research base, and a national regional TCM (specialty) diagnostic and treatment center.
It is world-renowned for acupuncture.
Professor Shi Xuemin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, created the “Xingnao Kaiqiao” acupuncture technique with remarkable efficacy in stroke treatment.
Its acupuncture department is one of the world’s largest acupuncture clinical, teaching, and research bases, with additional strengths in TCM nephrology, cardiology, and pediatrics.
- No. 88 Changling Road, Xiqing District, Tianjin (Xiqing Campus)
Key Speclalties
- Local cultural characteristics
Tianjin’s Cultural Heritage & Architectural Elegance
Tianjin is a national historic and cultural city with a distinctive culture that blends Chinese and Western elements, old and new.
As one of China’s earliest cities to open to the outside world, it once hosted concessions of nine foreign powers, leaving more than 2,000 Western-style villas in British, French, German, Italian, and Spanish architectural styles.
The Five Great Avenues area is known as a “museum of world architecture.”
Tianjin is also the cradle of northern Chinese folk arts, especially xiangsheng (crosstalk), with masters such as Ma Sanli and Hou Baolin.
Yangliuqing New Year paintings, Clay Figurine Zhang colored sculptures, and Wei kites are renowned at home and abroad.
Its vibrant street life, humorous character, and rich food culture together shape the Tianjin spirit of “patriotism, integrity, pragmatism, innovation, openness, and inclusiveness.”
Xiangsheng (Crosstalk)
Tianjin is the birthplace and a major stage of Chinese xiangsheng (comic crosstalk), with teahouse performances thriving for decades.
Masters such as Ma Sanli, Hou Baolin, and Chang Baoting rose to fame here.
Venues like Quanyechang, Mingliu Teahouse, and Qianxiangyi have become cultural landmarks, with humorous routines reflecting the optimism and open-mindedness of Tianjin people.
Yangliuqing New Year Paintings
Originating in the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty with over 400 years of history, Yangliuqing New Year paintings, together with Suzhou’s Taohuawu paintings, are known as “Southern Peach, Northern Willow.”
Combining woodblock overprinting with hand-painted colors, they often depict festive and auspicious themes, chubby children, and beauties.
Inscribed on China’s first national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006.
Clay Figurine Zhang
Founded by Zhang Mingshan in the Qing Dynasty, Clay Figurine Zhang is renowned for its exquisite and realistic colored clay sculptures.
Its figures are vivid in form and spirit with elegant colors, praised as “three-dimensional Chinese paintings.”
Inscribed on China’s first national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006, it is an outstanding representative of Tianjin folk art.
Tianjin Eye
The Tianjin Eye, officially the Yongle Bridge Ferris Wheel, has a diameter of 110 meters and is the only Ferris wheel in the world built on a bridge.
It is an iconic landmark of Tianjin.
At night, its colorful lights reflect on the Hai River, making it a must-visit attraction.
Tianjin Spirit
Patriotism and integrity are the foundation; pragmatism and innovation the character; openness and inclusiveness the spirit.
- Famous tourist attractions
Tianjin Eye
The Yongle Bridge Ferris Wheel, 110 meters in diameter, is the only Ferris wheel built on a bridge in the world.
A Tianjin landmark offering panoramic views along the Hai River.
Five Great Avenues
Home to more than 2,000 buildings from the 1920s–30s in British, Italian, French, German, and Spanish styles.
Known as a “museum of world architecture” and the quintessential showcase of Tianjin’s Western-style villa culture.
Ancient Culture Street
A Qing-style commercial street centered on the Palace of the Queen of Heaven (Tianhou Palace).
Lined with time-honored shops featuring Yangliuqing paintings, Clay Figurine Zhang, Wei kites, and other intangible cultural heritage crafts.
It is a popular destination for experiencing Tianjin folk culture.
Italian Style Town
The former Italian concession, Asia’s only well-preserved Italian-style architectural complex.
Featuring Marco Polo Square, Liang Qichao’s Yinbingshi studio, and Cao Yu’s former residence, exuding a distinctive European atmosphere.
Mount Pan
Located in Jizhou District, Mount Pan is a national scenic area and 5A tourist destination famed for its “three wonders” — pines on the upper peaks, rocks in the middle, and water below.
Emperor Qianlong visited 32 times, praising: “Had I known of Mount Pan, why journey south?”
Porcelain House
Located on Chifeng Road in Heping District, this French-style villa is decorated with hundreds of millions of ancient porcelain shards and thousands of antique vases and plates.
A one-of-a-kind porcelain art building known as the “museum of ancient Chinese porcelain.”
- Distinctive local cuisine
Goubuli Steamed Buns & Tianjin’s Traditional Cuisine
Tianjin cuisine, known as “Jincai,” originated from folk cooking and, benefiting from the Grand Canal and salt trade, absorbed northern and southern flavors as well as Western techniques, forming a savory taste with notes of sweet and sour and a mastery of river and seafood.
Goubuli steamed buns, founded in 1858 (the 8th year of the Xianfeng reign), are famous for their half-leavened dough, water-mixed filling, and exactly 18 pleats, with thin wrappers and generous, fragrant fillings.
Together with 18th Street Mahua and Erduoyan fried cakes, they form the “Tianjin Three Wonders” and are the most representative icon of Tianjin’s food culture.
From century-old brands to street-side jianbing, Tianjin cuisine embodies the city’s warm, open, and humorous street-life spirit.
Jianbing Guozi
Tianjin’s most iconic street breakfast: a thin mung bean batter pancake wrapped around a crispy youtiao (fried dough stick) or fried cruller.
Brushed with soybean paste and chili sauce and sprinkled with scallions — a crispy, savory start to the day.
18th Street Mahua
One of the “Tianjin Three Wonders” along with Goubuli and Erduoyan fried cakes.
These assorted-filled fried dough twists are sweet, fragrant, and crispy, staying crisp for long.
Guifaxiang 18th Street Mahua is a nationally famous Tianjin souvenir.
Erduoyan Fried Cakes
Dating from the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty and named after the adjacent Erduoyan (Ear Hole) Alley.
These fried cakes have a golden crispy outer layer and a smooth, sweet red bean paste filling, making them one of the “Tianjin Three Wonders.”
Guota Liji (Pan-Braised Pork Tenderloin)
A classic Tianjin dish: pork tenderloin slices coated in egg and pan-fried until golden, then slow-braised in clear broth until tender. Golden in color and savory in taste, it represents the signature "ta" (braising) technique of Tianjin cuisine.
Goubuli Steamed Buns
Founded in 1858, each bun features exactly 18 pleats, with a thin wrapper and generous, fragrant filling. A China time-honored brand and national intangible cultural heritage, it is synonymous with Tianjin cuisine.
- Urban transportation options
Tianjin’s Integrated Transportation Network
Tianjin has developed a modern comprehensive transport network comprising subway, bus, aviation, high-speed rail, and port, serving as a major multimodal transport hub in North China and a land-sea intersection point of the Belt and Road Initiative.
Metro
By the end of 2025, Tianjin’s rail transit operated 13 lines spanning about 384 km with 238 stations, including 32 interchange stations.
Daily ridership in 2025 reached approximately 1.77 million, double the 2020 level.
Lines cover the core areas of the twin cities of “Jincheng” and “Bincheng,” connecting major hubs such as Tianjin Station, Tianjin West, Tianjin South, and Binhai International Airport.
13 Lines / 384 km of Operating Metro Network
Aviation Hub
Tianjin Binhai International Airport is a 4E-level international airport and a core node of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei airport cluster.
In 2024, it handled 20.064 million passengers, up 8.6% year-on-year and returning to the 20-million-passenger club, along with 137,000 tons of cargo and mail, up 8.3%.
The Phase III expansion is underway, designed for an annual capacity of 32 million passengers.
Tianjin Binhai International Airport / International & Domestic Flights
Public Bus
Tianjin operates an extensive bus and trolleybus network covering the central urban area, four ring districts, and Binhai New Area, efficiently connecting with rail transit.
Fares start at ¥2, with customized and tourist shuttle services.
Tianjin has been recognized as a national green freight distribution demonstration city, providing residents and visitors with convenient and eco-friendly public transport.
Extensive Bus Network / Citywide Coverage
High-Speed Rail
Tianjin’s railway hubs include Tianjin, Tianjin West, Tianjin South, and Tianjin North stations.
The Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway reaches Beijing in 30 minutes, while the Beijing-Shanghai HSR reaches Shanghai in about four hours.
With dense lines such as Tianjin-Baoding, Tianjin-Qinhuangdao, and Beijing-Tianjin extensions, Tianjin is a key node of China’s HSR network, forming a “half-hour commuting circle” with Beijing.
Tianjin Railway Station / Direct High-Speed Rail Connections
Subway Travel Tips
Tianjin’s metro network provides convenient transportation between major urban districts, railway stations, and Tianjin Binhai International Airport.
The network operates 13 lines covering approximately 384 kilometers, with 238 stations and 32 interchange stations across the metropolitan area.
Daily ridership reached approximately 1.77 million passenger trips in 2025.
13
operating lines
238
stations
384
kilometers of operating mileage
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