Tianjin Eye 天津之眼

About Tianjin Eye

Its most distinctive feature is the combination of transport structures: the circular wheel rises above a working river crossing, with the riverbanks providing different views of the supports and capsules. A ride offers an elevated perspective, while a riverside visit lets you appreciate the engineering without boarding. The wheel belongs to the northern part of the central Haihe sightseeing area, making the nearby Dabei Temple a more natural companion than distant Binhai attractions.

The wheel stands on the Yongle Bridge (永乐桥), formerly Chihai Bridge, as part of a Haihe redevelopment programme Tianjin's government launched after 2000 to manage the waterway and improve the riverside cityscape. Planners sought a landmark structure comparable to the London Eye, and after an international design competition the commission went to a Japanese design office (川口卫设计事务所) that had earlier designed the building now used as the Tianjin Natural History Museum. The main structure was completed on 17 December 2007, and the wheel opened to the public on 7 April 2008.

The wheel has a total height of about 120 meters and a diameter of 110 meters, comparable to a 35-story building. It carries 48 enclosed, transparent capsules, each about 12 square meters and holding up to 8 passengers, giving a simultaneous capacity of 384 people; a full rotation takes about 28 minutes. The main axle, 3.5 meters in diameter, was manufactured in Germany, and the supporting steel structure was built by the Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Company (武昌造船厂).

In 2023, ahead of the May Day holiday, all 48 capsules were replaced, including twelve fitted with interior screens that play tourism and multimedia content. The wheel is lit at night and forms part of Haihe evening sightseeing, with light displays and cultural events sometimes held during festivals.

What to look for

• The wheel's supports spanning Yongle Bridge above the Haihe.
• The transparent passenger capsules and their changing position over the river.
• Riverbank views that show both the bridge and wheel in one frame.

Location & getting there

Getting to Tianjin Eye

Use Tianjin Eye at Yongle Bridge, Sanchahekou, as the destination.

• For a ride, confirm the boarding entrance; for photography, select the riverbank you want rather than the middle of the bridge.