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With a long history of foreign concessions, international trade and European style architecture, it is no wonder that Tianjin was chosen as a site for many of the events at the 2008 Olympic games.
Its urban center is located along the Hai He River which leads directly
to the Pacific, earning the city the name Tianjin. It means “the place
where the Emperor crossed the river” because it was the historic port
linking the capital city of Beijing to the open sea. Yet its status as
a key port city is not the only thing that stands out about this
growing city. Although
often overlooked in Beijing’s shadow, as the two cities are a mere 100
kilometers apart, Tianjin is on the cusp of returning to a place of
international prominence.
From
the forced entry of foreign interests to the complex internal conflicts
of China, Tianjin has been at the hub of many disputes. Tianjin made
its debut to the international world in 1860 when it was opened to
foreign trade and became the site for the outbreak of the Opium Wars.
The Boxers seized control of the city in 1900, yet were defeated by the
Eight Nation United Army, strengthening foreign presence in China.
Japan would later lay claim to the city during the second of
the Sino-Japanese wars, but was forced to withdraw after surrendering
to the Allies at the end of the WWII. Since China was re-opened in
1970, Tianjin has undergone many changes. While not on par with its
larger neighbor Beijing, it is in the midst of rapid development.
Like
Beijing, Tianjin is a special municipality and does not belong to a
province. Set at the northern end of the Grand Canal of China, Tianjin
has direct access to both Huang He and the Yang Ze. As the biggest
trading port in Northern China, Tianjin has a thriving population of
10,247,000 people. While often found lacking when compared to the
technological advances of Beijing, Tianjin has been undergoing major
changes in this area. Not yet a major metropolis, it can still afford
many of the comforts an international city can provide.
Home
to the first modern university in China, and the oldest newspaper,
Tianjin has a thriving intellectual and cultural scene. Some of the
first museums, theatres and art galleries in China were founded here,
and the heavy presence of foreign embassies strongly influenced the
music, art and architecture of the area. Take a stroll down Ancient
Culture Street to see reconstructions of traditional Tianjin homes, or
through Wudadao to look at the European villas from the turn of the
century. While there are plenty of venues for shopping, the Antique
market is a must see, with its Cultural Revolution relics and outdoor
market sprawl.
While best known for its
seafood dishes, Tianjin is most well known for these three specialties:
Guobuli, the local version of steamed buns, are famous all around
China, as are the dough twists, known as Mahua, and the rice cakes
filled with red bean known as Erduoyan. For those looking for a
heartier meal, the eight great meals or four great bowls are quite an
experience.
Only an hour from Beijing,
Tianjin affords access to many of the positive attributes of a big
city, yet retains some of the positive qualities of a smaller one.
With a small foreign presence, there are ample opportunities for
immersion and language practice, and some people claim that Tianjin
residents are both extremely friendly and patient with foreigners, and
will openly proffer help and friendship.
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Tianjin Province Map
(click to enlarge)
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City statistics |
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Population :
10,236,700 |
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Area :
11,654
sq. km. |
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City flower :
China rose |
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City tree :
Pagoda tree |
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Accomodation:
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At CSA we know that people often have very different needs when it comes to housing and that is why we offer more choices than any other study abroad program in China. In addition to three different apartment options, we also arrange homestays, long-term hotel residences, University dorms, and also the option of sharing an apartment with young, professional Chinese roommates for those who wish to quickly increase their language proficiency through immersion, but who do not wish to stay with a Chinese family.
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China Made Easy:
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Contact CSA and discover how true our motto really is. Using our website you can apply, pay, and recieve notification of acceptance and approval all in a matter of days and without the need to fax or mail a single document. You provide your information and choice of University and accommodation and we do the rest. We will also help you through every step of the visa application process. In addition we assign every applicant a Program Advisor who is there to answer any pre-departure questions or concerns you might have. And once you arrive in China our service doesn't stop like some other study abroad programs. From airport pick-up until the moment you return home we continue to assist you with any problems you may encounter. We also provide you with an instant network of contacts and social events to quickly immerse you in Chinese culture and make sure you have an enjoyable experience that you will never forget!
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About Us:
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China Study Abroad works with China's top Universities to offer unique and rewarding courses in Mandarin Chinese throughout the year. In addition to language classes, China Study Abroad (CSA) arranges housing, provides additional tutoring, offers free guided tours around Beijing and China, and schedules regular events to help you meet native speakers and facilitate your transition into China's culture and way of life. And we do this at the lowest prices available -China Study Abroad is the lowest priced, all-inclusive study abroad program in China, Guaranteed!
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