Changchun Travel Guide

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Changchun Facts

Chinese Name: 长春 (cháng chūn)
Population: 7,513,000
Area: 20,593.5 square kilometers (7,951.2 square miles)
Location: in the central area of northeast China
Administrative Division: 7 districts (Chaoyang, Nanguan, Kuancheng, Erdao, Luyuan, Shuangyang, Jiutai); 1 county (Nong’an); 2 county-level cities (Yushu, Dehui)
Area Code: 0431
Zip Code: 130000
GDP (2019): CNY 590.41 billion (USD 85.58 billion)

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Major Chinses Automobile Industry Base and Film City

As the capital of Jilin Province, Changchun is the second largest city in Northeast China. It is close to Songyuan to the northwest, Siping to the southwest, Jilin to the southeast and Harbin to the northeast. Changchun's name implies the meaning of blessing and auspiciousness. However, the city has witnessed a painful history in modern China. From 1931 to 1945, Japan colonized Changchun and established Manchukuo to govern northeastern China. Thus most of the Japanese-style architecture has been preserved and opened to the public. In the 1950s and 1960s, the construction of a large number of automobile manufacturers laid a good foundation for Changchun's automobile industry. Today, Changchun is still one of the world's important automobile production and research bases.

This city is also one of the first Chinese cities to access, dub and produce films. Changchun Movie Wonderland shows the film culture and history. In addition, the sculpture art has already spread in this city, from Changchun World Sculpture Park, which has collected more than 700 sculpture works from all over the world, to the annual sculpture exhibition. In winter, visitors can see the magnificent snow scenery of Changchun and participate in various ice and snow sports and tourism festivals.

It is undeniable that the place is also a good travel destination. The natural sceneries lie in lakes and forests. Changbai Mountain, Nanhu Park (South Lake Park), Jingyuetan National Forest Park are good places for you to enjoy the pleasure given by nature. Especially in winter the whole city will give you a real enjoyment of genuine winter. Besides, there are colonial vestiges, such as Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo, Badabu. Still Changchun Film Studio, Jilin Provincial Museum, Capital Cities and Tombs of Ancient Koguryo Kingdom, and Movie Wonderland provide you another different kind of enjoyment comparing with simply watching movies in cinemas.

Heavenly Lake, Changbai Mountain

Changbai Mountain

51 trains begin or pass by Changchun Railway Station everyday; more than thirty domestic airlines and four international lines of Changchun Longjia International Airport provide you much convenience of transportation. Four main speedways have connected the city with many parts of the country. At present there are four special tourist trains having been in use, Changchun to Xianghai, to Changbai Mountain, to Jilin and to Hunchun.

Changchun, known as 'Spring City of Northland', is of monsoon climate, locating in the transitional belt from wet area to sub-dry area. The four seasons varies a lot and the Changchun weather is rather pleasant, therefore it is honored Spring City of Northland. Spring is dry and windy; summer is wet and rainy; autumn is sunny and cool; winter is cold. Generally speaking rain and heat come in the same season. Besides, favorable climate and enough sunshine provide very good condition for the growth of crops. The area teems with corn and soybean; therefore it is praised as barn.

 History: It has suffered a lot of hardships, especially in modern times. In 1931 Japan entered and occupied entire northeast part of China, which can be considered the prelude of Sino-Japan War. Obviously the city became a colony of Japan. On March 1, 1932, Puyi, the last emperor of China, set up Manchukuo here supported by Japan, taking it as the capital. From then on brutal rule of Japanese upon Chinese people had begun. After a long time of struggle and resistance, the city finally broke off the ruthless rule, stepping into a normal development.

 Local Highlights: Compared with other historical cities in the country like Beijing and Xi'an, this city is a young one with only 200 years' history; however the present city is charming with several fine names which can give you a general impression of this big city.

Forest City: Woods, forest, people, city interweave together to show you a distinctive characteristic of the city. 39% of the city's ground has been clothed with greenage, which makes it one of top cities in this aspect. Green plants in and around make the city become a big oxygen bar, providing people to enjoy real fresh air.

City of Automobiles: The city is the cradle of Chinese automobile industry, a famous auto city in the country. On July 13, 1956, a truck branded with Jiefang was produced, which opened a new age for the country's auto industry. This truck was the first automobile entirely made by Chinese. Famous International Automobile Fair makes it a real City of Automobiles.

City of Films: Changchun Film Studio was the first one after the found of PRC. It is praised as the cradle of the country's film industry. For dozens of years, a great many excellent domestic films and dubbed films were produced here which gained a good fame for the film studio both at home and abroad. As a calling card, ceremonious Changchun Film Festival has enhanced its honor City of Film. Film is an intermedium. The outsiders have known more about this city through film; while the city has presented more of itself by films.

 Nightlife: The nightlife here is not as colorful and romantic as that of other big cities in China, such as Shanghai, Beijing, however, it has its own distinctive flavor which can be only known after you taste it in person. Various kinds of pubs, coffee bars, teahouses and other amusement centers will make you feel at ease. As the fast development of tourist industry, those related tourist facilities are also in a quick growth. Nowadays there are more than 30 star-rated hotels in the city, among which three hotels are five-star rated.


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