Dongli

Away from the busy commercial areas of central Tianjin, Dongli District offers the natural scenery of Dongli Lake, the rides at Tianjin Happy Valley, and several hot spring options. It is a good choice for a relaxing weekend, a family outing, or a short trip with friends.

Classic 2-Day, 1-Night Itinerary

• Day 1: Rides and Hot Springs: Spend the morning riding roller coasters at Tianjin Happy Valley and enjoying the water attractions at Maya Beach. In the afternoon, head to Guanhu Castle Hotel to unwind in the hot springs. In the evening, enjoy lake views from the hotel or visit Happy Valley for the nighttime fireworks.

• Day 2: Nature and Culture: In the morning, head to Dongli Lake Park to cycle around the lake and see black swans and reed beds. In the afternoon, visit Xinli Country Park to feed animals and pitch a tent, or go to Laomu Temple instead for its rustic, old-world atmosphere.

Recommended Local Food in Dongli District

• Fuyanlou: A long-established Tianjin restaurant in Wanxincun. The eight-treasure tofu comes with generous amounts of seafood, and the dry-fried squid tentacles are crisp and flavorful. Portions are well suited to sharing.

• Yinxiang Liujia Xiaoyuan: A Beijing-style restaurant at SM Plaza with traditional courtyard-style decor. The beef shumai have thin wrappers and generous fillings, while the Beijing-style crispy sweet-and-sour pork is appetizing and tangy. At a little over RMB 60 per person, it offers good value.

• Zengji Malatang: A long-running street-side shop in Xuzhuangzi that combines Tianjin-style sesame paste with Sichuan's spicy, numbing flavors. For many locals, it is a familiar taste from childhood.

• Liuji Beef Offal Noodles: A popular noodle shop on Xuelian Road serving spicy, numbing, and savory beef offal. Several options are available, and extra noodles are free.

• Guo'er Street-Stall Hot Pot: Located in Vanke Night Market, this restaurant offers a Chongqing hot pot buffet for RMB 38, with unlimited tripe, beef intestines, and tender beef. It is a convenient option for visitors nearby.

Where to Stay

• Guanhu Castle Hotel: A good choice for a relaxing resort stay. Some rooms have private hot spring baths, and unlimited hot spring access is also available. Lake-view rooms offer views of the Happy Valley fireworks, and there are plenty of family-friendly facilities.

• Hanting Hotel (Dongli Sports Center Wanda branch): A relatively affordable option near Wanda Plaza and Zhangguizhuang Metro Station. Rooms are fairly new and clean, making it a practical base for exploring by car or metro.
• Vienna International Hotel (Binhai International Airport branch): Located on Huaming Avenue near the Airport Economic Area, this hotel suits travelers catching early flights and also offers convenient access to the heart of Dongli's CBD.

Practical Transport and Travel Tips

• Getting around: Dongli's attractions are spread out, with considerable distances between Dongli Lake, Happy Valley, and Laomu Temple. Driving is more convenient, and parking is generally readily available. By metro, take Line 4 to Hangshuanglu Station for Xinli Country Park, or take Line 2 to the area near Junliangcheng Station.
• Tickets: Dongli Lake Park itself is free to enter, but cycling around the lake and boat rides cost extra. The immersive show *Tonight at Dongli Lake* requires a ticket, priced at around RMB 80. No ticket is needed simply to enjoy the lake scenery during the day; plan an evening visit if you want to see the light show.
• What to wear and bring: Comfortable athletic shoes are recommended for cycling around Dongli Lake or camping in the country parks. Bring swimwear and a swim ring for the hot springs. Some hotels offer rentals, but the choice of styles is limited.
• Seasonal tips: Summer and autumn are good for viewing lotus flowers and enjoying water activities at Dongli Lake, while winter is better suited to soaking in the hot springs at Guanhu Castle Hotel. In autumn and winter, the abandoned large ship at Laomu Temple, framed by reeds and the setting sun, creates a particularly atmospheric scene.