Making Friends in Tianjin – A Rough Guide

Making Friends in Tianjin – A Rough Guide
By Trey Archer , eChinacities.com

Loneliness can make any place seem like a hell hole, especially when that hole is thousands of miles away from the people you feel closest to. Despite an increasing population of foreigners in China and super-friendly Chinese people who may even have spent some time abroad, finding a person or people who you really connect with can be even more challenging than getting used to the different culture, language and way of life here. Sometimes, the best way to overcome this loneliness or lack of friends, is by going out and about and throwing yourself into your city’s social scene. Fortunately, Tianjin has several popular expat hangouts, where you’re not only guaranteed to run into people in similar situations, but these venues also organise fun events that bring the expat community together.

1) The Spot Cafe 聚点咖啡View In Map
With cheap coffee, decent food and comfy sofas, the Spot Café is the perfect place to meet expats and Chinese people alike. The community social every Sunday is a good opportunity for expats and their families living in Tianjin to come together to chat, drink coffee and eat cake. Every Tuesday the English corner gives native English speakers, as well as those wanting to improve their English-speaking skills, a chance to get together and chat. Every Wednesday there is a Chinese corner, perfect for expats wanting to hone their Chinese language skills and Chinese people wanting to meet foreign friends. Lots of other events, including live music, photography and art exhibitions, held throughout the year, also provide a chance to meet people who share some of the same interests.

Add: (Opposite of Tianyu Hotel) Nanfu Fang Dajie, Diantai Dao, Heping District, Tianjin
地址: 天津市和平区电台道南浮房大街(天宇大酒店对面)
Phone: 022 2783 7764

2) Tianjin International Community Centre (TICC)
Established in 1998 with the aim of giving expats in Tianjin a meeting place for themselves, as well as their families, TICC not only organises regular coffee mornings and luncheons but also social and fundraising events that help to support local charities. TICC therefore gives expats a chance to not only meet other foreigners living in Tianjin, but also the opportunity to get involved in Tianjin local life. As a non-profit organisation the Tianjin International Community Centre works on a membership basis, with membership costing 100 RMB annually, although certain events are also open to non-members. All proceeds from the membership fees go towards helping to support local charities.

Contact Information: ticc_09@hotmail.com
Website: www.tianin/weebly.com

3) Alliance Française de Tianjin天津法盟View In Map
Founded by Juliette Salabert in 2010 with the aim of spreading the fun of the French language and culture to China, the Alliance Française de Tianjin holds events throughout the year. Thus offering French speakers, as well as those interested in the French language, a chance to meet and make friends. Having recently held a French film festival and with a number of upcoming programmes, there are plenty of chances to not only speak French but also to enjoy French culture whilst in Tianjin.

Add: 2F, Jiaoyu Zhongxin Dalou, Shifan Daxue Balitai Xiaoqu Beimen, Wujiayao Dajie, Hexi District, Tianjin
地址: 天津市河西区吴家窑大街师范大学八里台校区北门, 教育中心大楼二层
Tel: 022 2354 0229 / 0218
Email: info.tianjin@afchine.org

4) Tianjin Toastmasters Club
Set up in January 1999 with the aim of helping people to learn and practice the art of public speaking, leadership and listening skills in a comfortable setting, the Tianjin Toastmasters Club not only meets regularly but also holds events such as balls and parties. With regular meetings every month on the second and third Thursday evenings between 7-9pm, the club offers those expats with full-time jobs an opportunity to meet people in a social context and provides a relaxed setting to stimulate confidence building.

Contact Information: bobward.wtt@gmail.com/ victoriawangwq@yahoo.com/cn

5) Laowai United
Established a good few years ago, this football team (soccer for anyone thinking in American terms) is exclusively for anyone holding a foreign passport in Tianjin. If you have a particularly good right foot or just fancy a kick around and a chance to meet others interested in football, this is a good opportunity. Meeting every Saturday, depending on the weather, and playing against local Chinese teams, Laowai United is also a good chance to practice your spoken Chinese. There are also big tournaments, such as the upcoming African Cup, in which expat teams from nations such as South Korea, Vietnam and some European teams will compete against each other.

Contact Information: Matthieu Pierazzi
Email: Pigboss007@hotmail.com
Phone: 136 8212 3001

6) Tianjin and TEDA Christian Fellowship
Offering support and encouragement in a Christian environment, both the Tianjin and TEDA Christian Fellowships are a good chance for Christian expats to meet people who share the same faith. Meeting every Sunday at 8:30am and 10:15am, the fellowships give those holding a foreign passport the chance to discover more about God and the way Christianity influences people’s lives in a friendly and easy-going atmosphere.

Tianjin Christian FellowshipView In Map
Add: Tianjin Travel University, 38 Zijin Shan Lu, Hexi District, Tianjin
地址:天津市河西区紫金山路38号
Email Address: enquiry@tjif.com

TEDA Christian FellowshipView In Map
Add: Report Hall, Building A, TEDA International Hotel,8, 2nd Avenue,TEDA, Tianjin
地址:天津经济技术开发区第二大街8号
Email: enquiry@tedafellowship.com

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Keywords: Making friends in Tianjin expat clubs Tianjin how to make friends in Tianjin expat organisations Tianjin expat events Tianjin

3 Comments

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oxana212

interesting

Sep 29, 2022 06:46 Report Abuse

oxana212

wonderful

Sep 23, 2022 02:51 Report Abuse

oxana212

Nice

Jul 18, 2021 07:00 Report Abuse