Line 1 of the Tianjin Metro (Chinese: 天津地铁一号线; pinyin: Tiānjīn Dìtiě Yī Hào Xiàn) runs 26.2 km from the north-west to the south-east of downtown Tianjin and serves 22 stations. It started operations on 12 June 2006. The line was rebuilt from the original Tianjin Metro line, which opened in 1976, but had to close down and undergo renovations in 2001 as part of the system's modernizing project. The line's color is red.

Construction began in 1970. The first section, spanning 3.6 km of track and 4 stations, which are named Xinhua Road, Yingkoudao, Anshandao and Haiguangsi stations, was completed by February 1976. The second section, with an additional 1.6 km of track and the Xinanjiao and Erweilu stations, was completed by 1980. After construction resumed, the total length was 7.4 km, with 8 stations, and service on the line began on 28 December 1984.

To cut construction costs, the authority used an abandoned canal bed to build part of the system. Thus the underground section is only 2–3 meters beneath the street surface, and was the world's shallowest metro. Years later, train frequency reduced and trains were commonly delayed. The rolling stocks themselves where dilapidated, with most seat covers torn off, and lights becoming dim. To change to a more modern and cleaner system in East Asia, a massive reconstruction, modernization and expansion plan was laid out in 2000. In preparation, the system was closed on 1 September 2001, with renovation totally started on 21 November after being delayed due to the terrorist attacks of 11 September. After introducing new rolling stocks, adding half-height platform screen doors and extending the line to Shuanglin, the line was completed at the end of 2005 and was re-opened on 12 June 2006.

In 2008, Xizhan Station was temporarily closed for three years for the reconstruction of the Tianjin West Railway Station. It reopened on 1 July 2011.

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