Kicking off a new series on secondary cities in China, Margie T Logarta investigates the northern metropolis of Tianjin.

When it began planning the launch of its first four-star Modena serviced residence in 2010, Singapore-based Frasers Hospitality knew exactly where the brand would take root – Tianjin.

Choe Peng Sum, Frasers’ chief executive, said Tianjin’s efforts to become a high-tech manufacturing hub and gateway to northern China symbolised the dynamic growth of secondary cities in the country. The Tianjin property has served as a catalyst for more Modena projects in China, not only in Shanghai and Suzhou but emerging hubs Wuxi and Wuhan.

Directly administered by the Beijing central government, this port municipality, facing on to the Bohai Gulf and Yellow Sea, has long figured in China’s illustrious history. It first attracted the world powers in the 1900s, who established a presence here and used it as a convenient base for their merchants. Just over a century later, Tianjin’s profile has sufficiently impressed more than 100 Fortune 500 companies to set up operations in the Binhai New Area, in industries such as telecommunications, food and drink, electronics, biochemicals and logistics.

No wonder, then, that one of China’s earliest high-speed train services – in 2008 – linked Beijing and Tianjin in a mere 30 minutes, signifying the importance of this port city to the country’s national fortunes.

Tianjin Binhai International airport is a 30-minute drive from the city centre, and is home to Tianjin Airlines, as well as low-cost carrier Okay Airways. The first phase of a terminal improvement project was unveiled in 2008 – when completed within the next five years, this will allow processing of 40 million passengers annually. In 2009, a second runway began operating, easing congestion.

Besides being served by all of the major and minor Chinese carriers, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Air Asia X, Dragonair, Eva Air, Singapore’s Scoot, Mongolia’s Eznis Airlines and Russia’s Vladivostok Air all connect it to regional cities.

The pace of expansion in Tianjin is just like in other Chinese cities – relentless. But as well as being determined that their hometown be counted as one of China’s super-metropolises, with a spanking new skyline of steel-and-glass towers, stylish malls and a modern subway system, the government and local residents remain proud of their colonial past under nine foreign powers.

In the Wudadao district, where five avenues run parallel to each other, historic buildings have been lovingly preserved (or duplicated), reviving an important neighbourhood that is inextricably linked to Tianjin’s past.

Meanwhile, along the Haihe River, columns of office and commercial space are rapidly springing up, creating the usual CBD profile, exemplified by the 80-storey Tianjin International Trade Centre.

A 40-minute drive away, near the airport, the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (TEDA), which catapulted Tianjin into the big investment league by attracting tenants such as Airbus, is a satellite city that continues to grow. It intends to have its own CBD, dubbed the “Modern Service District”, featuring offices, high-end residences, exhibition venues and leisure developments.

TIME-OUT TIPS

One of the city’s popular snacks can be traced back to the Qing Dynasty, when legend has it that a young fellow from Wuqing County, nicknamed Gou (“Doggie”), arrived in Tianjin, working in a bun shop until he opened his own. His version of the delicacy drew record crowds, and his name was modified to “Goubuli” (“the dog who doesn’t talk”) because he was often too busy to entertain customers. Eventually, Goubuli became synonymous with the buns. The main establishment is at 77 Shandong Road, Heping District, but more than 89 branches are scattered around the city, and there are 90-plus varieties to try.

Other goodies to try include the “ear-hole fried cake”, sold by Liu Wanchun from a wheelbarrow until he earned enough to start Liu’s Fried Cake Shop in the Beidaguan area, and Guifaxiang fried dough twists, at 568 Dagu Road South, Hexi district.

Tianjin’s after-dark scene may not be as vibrant as Beijing or Shanghai’s but the options are building up. Begin at Italian Style Town near Beian Bridge – from Marco Polo Square, saunter down the street dotted with restaurants, trattorias and pubs. Also in the area is Brasserie Flo (flo.cn/brasserie), which evokes 1920s Paris and lays out a tantalising shellfish and oyster buffet. There is a brasserie menu (from £19 for two courses) available throughout the week.

A cruise on the Haihe River is a lovely way to sail back into the city’s past – the burgeoning collection of restored historic edifices is stunning when lit up at night – while a ride on the 120-metre-tall Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel on Yongle Bridge offers a panoramic view of this fast-developing metropolis.

WHERE TO STAY

The Astor

The grand dame of Tianjin reopened in 2010 as part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, following an extensive 18-month makeover that preserved its delightful turn-of-the-century British architectural detailing. The Astor has 152 guestrooms, five food and drink venues, and a ballroom.

Hotel Indigo Tianjin Haihe

Set in the grounds of the former German consulate, this boutique property features 11 villas, 96 rooms and ten suites themed with images from Tianjin’s past.

Modena Heping Tianjin

Those with appointments in the New Binhai Area business district will find this boutique 104-unit serviced residence ideal. One- or two-bedroom apartments boast modern furnishings, iPod docks and home entertainment systems. There is also a 24-hour gym and a laundromat.

Renaissance Tianjin Lakeview

This 368-room waterside property is within walking distance of the Tianjin International Exhibition Centre, and is also close to the Meijiang International Convention Centre. Facilities include three restaurants and two ballrooms.

St Regis Tianjin

A distinctive cube-shaped building along the Haihe River, the 276-room St Regis opened in 2011 and has four restaurants and bars, 2,700 sqm of event space and an indoor pool.