In terms of urban population , Tianjin is the fourth largest in China , after Shanghai , Beijing , and Guangzhou . In terms of administrative area population , Tianjin ranks fifth in Mainland China . The walled city of Tianjin was built in 1404 . As a treaty port since 1860 , Tianjin has been a major seaport and gateway to Beijing . During the Boxer Rebellion the city was the seat of the Tianjin Provisional Government . Under the Qing dynasty and the Republic of China , Tianjin became one of the largest cities in the region . At that time , numerous European-style buildings and mansions were constructed in concessions , many of which are well-preserved today . After the founding of the People 's Republic of China , Tianjin suffered a depression due to the policy of the central government and Tangshan earthquake , but recovered from 1990s . Nowadays Tianjin is a dual-core city , with its main urban area ( including the old city ) located along the Hai River , which connects to the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers via the Grand Canal ; and Binhai , a New Area urban core located east of the old city , on the coast of the Bohai Gulf . As of the end of 2010 , around 285 Fortune 500 companies have set up base in Binhai . Since 2010 , Tianjin 's Yujiapu Financial District has become known as '' China 's Manhattan ''
Tangshan earthquake
1976 Tangshan earthquake
Tianjin