Beijing, China Cruise Port Guide
As the primary maritime gateway to Northern China, Tianjin Xingang serves as the starting point for incredible journeys to historic capital sites. Major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, and Celebrity Cruises frequently dock at this modern mega-port terminal.
Cruisers choose Tianjin Xingang primarily for its direct access to the iconic treasures of Beijing, making it a premier departure and arrival port for East Asian itineraries.
For more information on Beijing, visit our sister site Amazing Atlas to read the Beijing City Guide
In This Guide
- Shore Excursions & Tours
- Key Beijing Port Information
- • Top Attractions & Excursions
- • Nearby Cities & Attractions
- • Port Location
- • Local Currency
- • Safety Considerations
- • Weather & Climate
- • Getting Around
- • Shopping
- Visiting Beijing Cruise Deals
- Upcoming Cruises to Beijing Cruise Deals
- Ships in Port Schedule
- Other Cruise Ports in China
- Monthly Pricing
Shore Excursions & Tours
Private Tianjin City Highlight Day Tour
Ideal for first-time non-Chinese speaking visitors, this full-day door-to-door private car tour avoids hustlers to explore Tianjin’s concession era, Great Five Avenues, and the Last Emperor Puyi's residence. You will also visit the Porcelain House and modern Tianjin with a private guide.
Tianjin Private Day Trip to Forbidden City and Mutianyu Great Wall by Bullet Train
Take a bullet train from Tianjin for a private one-day tour of Beijing's UNESCO wonders, including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Mutianyu Great Wall with its cable car and toboggan. This no-rush adventure includes round-trip rail tickets, all entrance fees, and a Chinese lunch.
Private One Way Tianjin Port Transfer to Beijing including Great Wall Sightseeing
This one-way transfer from Tianjin Port to a Beijing hotel includes a shore excursion to the Mutianyu Great Wall with entrance fees and round-trip cable car tickets. Travelers can also choose to add an English-speaking guide for the hike.
Private 1-Way Transfer Between Tianjin Port to Beijing
This worry-free private transfer service provides transportation between Tianjin Port and your Beijing hotel, Capital Airport (PEK), or Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX).
Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall
Take a smooth bullet train to Beijing for a private day tour of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Mutianyu Great Wall. The package includes private transfers, entrance fees, round-trip cable car or toboggan tickets, and lunch.
5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port
Navigate Tianjin’s intimidating markets with an expert guide on this five-hour tour that stops at Xinyang Knockoff Market for handbags and a supermarket for unique cooking ingredients. You will learn how to get the best deals and traverse the sprawling market scene confidently.
Private Tianjin Shore Excursion to Binhai Library and Shopping
Designed for first-time visitors who don't speak Chinese, this door-to-door private tour avoids hustlers to visit Binhai Library and Tanggu Market. A comprehensive package upgrade is available with a private guide and driver.
Tianjin City Highlights Private Day Tour with Start/End Option
This full-day private shore excursion includes visits to the Porcelain House, Five Great Avenues, Ancient Culture Street, and the Tianjin Eye, though the Eye's ticket is at your own expense. The tour provides an English-speaking guide and driver, all transfers, lunch, and pickup/drop-off from Tianjin Port or your hotel.
Private Customized Shore Excursion from Tianjin Port to Beijing
For cruisers docking at Tianjin Xingang Port, these flexible shore excursions offer customizable sightseeing in downtown Beijing to maximize limited time at iconic attractions like Tiananmen Square. Travelers can select their preferred sites through various packages designed to explore China's capital.
Private Custom Beijing City Day Tour from Tianjin City
This tailor-made private tour allows you to choose landmarks like the Forbidden City and Summer Palace to visit with a knowledgeable guide. Tianjin downtown pickup and drop-off, entrance fees, and a local lunch are all included.
Tianjin Private Day Trip to Beijing Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven by Bullet Train
Travel from Tianjin by bullet train to explore the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace with a personal guide, observing local morning exercises and garden charms. The tour also includes bargain shopping at the Pearl Market and a meal at a restaurant frequented by locals.
Tianjin Shore Excursion: Huangyaguan Great Wall Private Day Tour
Discover the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall, located in Tianjin's Ji county, on this private full-day tour starting from Tianjin Port. Including an air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees, and local lunch, the tour offers flexible drop-off in either Beijing or Tianjin Port.
Private Tianjin Day Tour to Huangyaguan Great Wall and Dule Temple
This time-efficient private tour covers the Huangyaguan Great Wall and Dule Temple in one day with a personal guide and Chinese lunch. It includes pickup and drop-off from the Tianjin Cruise Port or central Tianjin hotels for an extra transfer fee.
4-Hour Private Tianjin Walking Tour with Dim Sum
Explore Tianjin’s highlights like Ancient Culture Street, the Haihe River, and BinJiang Dao BuXing Jie on this atmospheric door-to-door tour with a private guide. You will sample red bean dessert and Jinbing Crepe before enjoying the town's best dim sum for lunch or dinner.
Private Great Wall Tour from Tianjin Port
Especially helpful for first-time visitors who don't speak Chinese, this private guided tour avoids hustlers and explores the Huangyaguan Great Wall. The package includes a private driver, entrance fees, and lunch.
Private Full-Day Shore Excursion To Shijia Mansion and Ancient Culture Street
This door-to-door private tour with a bullet train experience is ideal for first-time visitors who don't speak Chinese and want to avoid hustlers. Accompanied by a guide, you will explore top attractions such as Shijia Mansion and Ancient Culture Street.
4-Hour Shore Excursion: Tianjin City Highlights and Binhai Bullet Train Experience
Enjoy a relaxing 4-hour tour from the cruise port that includes shopping at Ancient Culture Street and a visit to Tianhou Palace, the Sea of Goddess. You will also experience a 30-minute bullet train ride between Tianjin and Binhai at speeds up to 350 kilometers per hour.
Private Shore Excursion of Must-See Tianjin City Attractions
Discover Tianjin’s top attractions, including the Porcelain House, Ancient Culture Street, and the Five Great Avenues, on this day tour. The package includes a private vehicle, entrance fees, and a local cuisine lunch.
Tianjin Private Walking Tour Guided by a Lady Worked in Europe
This 6-hour private walking tour is ideal for first-time visitors to Tianjin, the 13-million-resident city near Beijing, to explore its history and landscape. You will visit popular attractions, shop at a local market, taste famous snacks, and enjoy lunch at a popular restaurant.
Private Tianjin City Night Tour with Haihe River Cruise
Experience Tianjin's beauty on this 3-hour evening tour featuring a narrated Haihe River twilight cruise past 10 attractions, including the Tianjin Eye, Italian Style Street, and eight bridges. A guide provides live commentary on the history of sites like Jiefanglu Financial Street, the Ancient Culture Street, and the Urban Planning Museum.
Key Beijing Port Information
Top Attractions & Excursions
While many passengers head straight toward Beijing, local highlights near the port include the Tianjin Eye, a giant Ferris wheel built over the Hai River, and the historic Five Great Avenues featuring early 20th-century European architecture.
Visitors can also explore the scenic Ancient Culture Street to sample local street foods and traditional crafts within a 45-minute drive from the terminal.
For those interested in naval history, the Binhai Aircraft Carrier Theme Park offers a unique tour of a decommissioned Soviet aircraft carrier located just 30 minutes from the pier.
Last updated on August 26, 2026
Nearby Cities & Attractions
The premier excursion destination is Beijing, located roughly 160 kilometers (100 miles) northwest of the port, reachable in about 30 minutes via high-speed bullet train or 2 to 3 hours by coach.
Passengers traveling to Beijing can visit world-renowned landmarks such as the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven, and the Great Wall of China at Mutianyu.
Alternatively, the urban center of Tianjin offers a mix of modern skyscrapers and colonial-era architecture just 50 kilometers from the cruise pier.
Last updated on August 26, 2026
Port Location
The Tianjin International Cruise Home Port is located in the Dongjiang area, approximately 70 kilometers east of downtown Tianjin and 170 kilometers from downtown Beijing.
Because the port is situated in an industrial coastal development zone, walking off the ship into a commercial town center is not feasible, making organized shuttles, pre-arranged private drivers, or taxis necessary.
The passenger terminal building itself is modern and spacious, offering basic amenities including currency exchange desks, tourist information counters, convenience shops, and free Wi-Fi.
Last updated on August 26, 2026
Local Currency
The official currency used is the Chinese Yuan (CNY or RMB), where 1 US Dollar is roughly equivalent to 7.2 RMB.
Foreign currencies like US Dollars or Euros are not accepted by local vendors or taxi drivers, so having local cash or digital payment options is essential.
Major credit cards are accepted at high-end hotels and major stores in large cities, but digital mobile payments via WeChat Pay and Alipay dominate; visitors can link international credit cards to these apps or use ATMs available inside the cruise terminal to withdraw cash.
Last updated on August 26, 2026
Safety Considerations
Tianjin Xingang and its surrounding regions are extremely safe for international travelers, boasting very low rates of crime.
Cruisers should primarily stay aware of common tourist scams in major sightseeing hubs, such as overpriced tea house invitations or unlicensed taxis operating at the port.
Independent travel is straightforward, though participating in an organized guided shore excursion or hiring a reputable private driver is strongly recommended due to language barriers and distance from key attractions.
Last updated on August 26, 2026
Weather & Climate
The region experiences a temperate continental climate with distinct seasons during the primary cruise season from spring through autumn.
Spring and autumn bring comfortable temperatures averaging between 15°C to 23°C (59°F to 73°F) and low rainfall, making it ideal for walking tours.
Summers can be hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 30°C (86°F) or higher alongside occasional heavy rain showers, so lightweight clothing, comfortable walking shoes, and rain gear are recommended.
Last updated on August 26, 2026
Getting Around
Taxis are readily available outside the cruise terminal, though few drivers speak English, so having destination addresses written in Chinese characters is crucial.
High-speed trains operating from Binhai Station or Tianjin Railway Station provide rapid transport to Beijing in under an hour.
Many passengers opt for pre-booked private transfer services or Beijing day tours that include direct pier pickup and drop-off to avoid navigating public transit schedules.
Last updated on August 26, 2026
Shopping
Shopping opportunities around Tianjin include the vibrant Ancient Culture Street, famous for cloisonné, silk items, hand-painted scrolls, and traditional clay figurines.
In downtown Tianjin, Binjiang Avenue pedestrian street offers a bustling commercial hub filled with international brands and modern department stores.
While prices in fixed-rate retail stores and duty-free terminal shops are non-negotiable, light bargaining is customary in open-air souvenir markets.
Last updated on August 26, 2026
Visiting Beijing Cruise Deals
Upcoming Cruises to Beijing Cruise Deals
Ships in Port Schedule
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Monthly Pricing - Cruises visiting Beijing
Overall cruises that visit Beijing are somewhat expensive compared to other itineraries. Check the diagram below for the average cost per day by month. Cruises visiting Beijing during the the peak season of fall are much more expensive than the the low season of spring.