Changchun
Changchun, capital of Jilin Province, is lauded variously as "Forest City", "City of Spring North of the Great Wall", "Auto City" "Motion-picture City", where transportation is convenient, auto making has become a full-fledged industry, commerce is thriving, and tourism is making big strides.
Puppet State's Imperial Palace
Changchun used to be the capital of the puppet "Manchukuo State" rigged up by Japanese invaders. During his 1932-1945 tenure as the bogus emperor, Aisin Gioro Pu Yi had left a legacy there, including his imperial palace, the puppet state council, and many other large buildings each with a style.
Jingyue (Clear Moon)
The local people extol Jingyue (Clear Moon) Pool in Changchun as "Sparkling Emerald Pearl" and regard it as a "sister" to Taiwan's Riyue (Sun and Moon) Pool. The 4.3-square-km pool is in a national forest park where the ecological system is well protected. The place has become a national forest park and a scenic resort where holidaymakers go for sightseeing, recuperating, recreation, and other purposes. Facilities, including a world-class skiing ground, have been built to wow sightseers and winter sports fans.
Motion Picture City
The well-known Changchun Film Studio, where many outstanding movies have been made, lures visitors with a series of tourist and recreational programmers related to the motion picture industry. Asia's largest indoor film studio is in this motion picture center.
Jilin:The waterfront city of Jilin is a major tourist city by Songhua River.
Rimed Trees in Jilin
The rimed trees of Jilin are extolled as one of tour major natural wonders of China along with Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, the landscape of Jilin, and the Stone Forest of Yunnan. In winter the Songhua River keeps flowing through Jilin despite the subfreezing temperature, and the vapor rising from the surface of the river freezes when it meets the pines and willows ashore. Thus encrusted with layers upon layer of ice, the tree branches and twigs look transparent and form a spectacular crystal world that never fails to attract visitors.
Songhua Lake
The 550-square-km Songhua Lake in southeast Jilin City is part of a national scenic resort with limpid water and elegant mountains. Like Songhua River, the lake looks exceptionally attractive in winter with rimed trees.
Beidahu Skiing Ground
Beidahu Skiiing Ground is in Songhua Lake Scenic Resort, 56km from downtown Jilin and 141km from Changchun. With an ideal terrain, a long and prodigious snowing season, relatively mild temperature, and equipped with world-calibre facilities, it is a renowned skiing ground in China.
Yanji City
Yanji, capital of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, provides vital access to the Changbai Mountains and the Tianchi Lake. Transportation is made convenient by regular flights that link the city with major cities all over the country. The local Koreans, living in compact communities, are born singers and dancers.
Tianchi Lake
The volcanic Tianchi (Heavenly) Lake, 10 square km in area and 204 meters in average depth (373 meters at the deepest), marks the boundary of China and Korea on the top of Baitou Mountain, the main peak of Changbei Mountains. Skirted on all sides by mountains, the lake is known for its sublime natural beauty.
Changbai Mountains Nature Reserve
Covering a total area of 2,000 square km, Changbai Mountains Nature Reserve is, as a mammoth natural zoo and botanical garden, part of the UNESCO'S Man and Biosphere Program. The Tianchi Lake, Vertical Scenery, Aerial Park, hot springs, and waterfalls are among the six local natural wonders. The mountains, covered with primitive forests, make an excellent bio-tour destination.
Ji'an City
Ji'an a city on the Yalu River, was the capital of Koguryo in ancient times. Among its many sites of historical interest are the General's Tomb, a stone table dedicated to a local king, and nearly 10,000 ancient tombs.
Xianghai Nature Reserve
On the edge of the Songliao Plain, and in Tongyu County in eastern Horqin Grassland, Xianghai nature Reserve is the natural habitat for 293 kinds of precious birds, including six breeds of cranes. The idyllic prairie and the local Mongol folklore combine to make this bird watching place a very fascinating place.
Ice-and-Snow Tours
Skiing tours to Jilin are one of a series of New Millennium China tourist programs. Songhua Lake, Changbai Mountains, Jingyue Pool in Changchun and Beidahu near the city of Jilin are major destinations for such tours.
Major Festivals
Changchun International Film
Festival:
Venue: Changchun; Time: August 23-28.
Rimed Tree Festival:
Time: January 18-23;
What's no: winter sports, ice lantern and bonfire parties, and Manchu and Korean folklore celebrations.
Yanbian Korean Folklore Festival:
Venue: Yanji; Time: August 31-September 3;
What's on: authentic Korean folkways and performances, and tours of Changbai Mountains.