The town of Tianjin (Tientsin) is located two and a half hours by bus and train to the south-east of Beijing. It is nicknamed the 'Shanghai of the North' due to influence from the abroad, notably the French. Some streets maintain the mark of this European presence. You also go to Tianjin for its famous antique market, which is open every day from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm. The town is connected to Beijing by one of China's rare motorways.