Located in the very center of the Dongbei Plain, Changchun is one of the few cities in China that boasts a sizeable minority population including Manchurians, Muslims, Mongolians, Xibao and Zhuang. The city began its life in 1800 as a major granary in the north due to its unparalleled fertile soil. Within a quarter of a century, it quickly gained its fame as the rice and soy producing city of Asia.

The city lay in peace throughout the 19th century until it began to be disturbed with the collapse of the Qing Dynasty. In 1924, the last and already deposed emperor, Puyi, moved to Changchun by order of, and for protection under, the expanding and ambitious Japanese. Changchun remained the capital of the Japanese Manchukuo state from around 1932 until 1945. It was not until after the liberation that this situation was officially put to an end. Puyi was thrown into prison.

In recent years the city has grown, concentrating on major primary industries. After the communists came in to office in 1950, they initiated a bold plan to transform the city into a major industrial base, with the helping hand of the Soviets. The discovery of large oil and gas reserves in the late 1950s gave the city the added boost that it needed to carry its modernisation into the twenty first century. With such a thriving environment the city began to churn out a variety of goods. Most notable were films from the propaganda machine, the Changchun Film Studio, and the automobile industry, with Liberation Trucks heading towards Korea, and "red flag" Limousines heading for Beijings Zhongnanhai (the leadership compound). Today, cars running on the road of Changchun are mainly Golf, Santana, and Audi, thanks to the establishment of a Sino-German joint venture.

It is not industry that brings tourists to the city, however, but a variety of other factors,  mainly related to the cities pleasant scenery, its history or its skiing. The city is a town planners dream of straight roads, well-spaced parks and some large squares (including the worlds second largest, the Culture Square). It has a tree coverage of 40 per cent. In terms of history the city is best known for its role in the war and Puyis Palace is easily the cities most enjoyable sight. For more excitement, the snowy slopes of Jingyuetan are a good way to enjoy the cold.

Changchun Attractions
As the capital city of Jilin Province, Changchun is blessed with many fantastic natural and historical attractions and the most important of these are listed here:

Historical attractions (both in and around Changchun):

Puppet Emperors Palace
It was here that Puyi, the last emperor of China was installed as the nominal head of state by the Japanese. The Puppet Emperors Palace is located in the northeast of Changchun City. It is a series of buildings that are totally different from modern styles. The palace bears witness to the Japanese invasion of Dongbei (northeast part of China) and the royal tragedy of Puyi and his concubines.

Badabu (Eight Branches of Manchukuo)
In 1932 the Japanese set up a State Council with Puyi, the last emperor of China, at its head. Known as the Manchuhuo it governed from 1932 until 1945. The council had eight separate ministries; these were the Department of Public Security, Department of Judicature, Department of Economy, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Education and Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Sanitation and Zonghe Faya (the supreme ministry of justice). The buildings that housed these departments are in the center of Changchun and each has their own unique and distinctive characteristics.

Mosque
Changchun Mosque is in Muslim Hutong, Changtong Lu, Nanguan District. It dates from 1824 it was the first and largest mosque to be built in the city. Following two large-scale extensions the Mosque is both modern and very attractive. It is now the headquarters of the Islamic Associations of both Jilin Province and Changchun City.
Wen Temple (Confucius Temple)

If you go to the east side of Yatai Dajie of Dong Er Dao Jie in Changchun, you will find the old Wen Temple. Constructed in 1827 it is dedicated to Confucius, most famous and influential educator and thinker in ancient China. Therefore Wen Temple is also called the Confucius Temple.

Nongan Liao Tower
Nongan Liao Tower (also known as the Buddha Tower) is in Nongan County, about 60 kilometers (about 37.3 miles) from Changchun City. The records show that it was built between 983 and 1030 during the Liao Dynasty (916-1125). In view of its history spanning more that a thousand years, this ancient tower has become a must for those come to visit Changchun.

Non-historical sceneries (both in and around Changchun):

Jingyuetan National Forest Park
Jingyuetan National Forest Park is located in the southeast part of Changchun City, about 18 kilometers (about 11.2 miles) away from the downtown area. Its name Jingyuetan comes from its large crescent shaped lake. This national park is famous for its picturesque scenery; therefore it is revered as ¡®a tranquil place in a blatant city. In addition Jingyuetan is also referred to as ¡®the sister lake of the Sun and Moon Lake in Taiwan.

Changchun Film City
Located in the southwest suburb, Changchun Film City takes film art and culture as its main theme. It is a tourist attraction and a screen base of both movies and TV plays. Film World inside Changchun Film City is known as the ¡®Chinese Hollywood. It is the core attraction of the film city, and has the largest indoor studios for dramas and MTVs in Asia. In addition Film World is also a first-class visitor attraction with sightseeing, dining and entertaining.

Nanhu Park (South Lake Park)
The largest park in Changchun, Nanhu Park is located in the south part of the city. In midsummer and early autumn of every year there will be lights festivals and other kinds of activities involving folk customs. The cold winter period is the high time for Nanhu Park. Various kinds of activities, especially sledges pulled by dogs or camels, will give you a chance to taste a real winter and feel genuine happiness.
Address: Xinmin Plaza
Bus routes: No. 62, 13 or 25

Shengli Park
Shengli Park is the oldest park in Changchun. This parks great distinction is its collection of more than 5,000 rare water lilies.
Address: intersection of Beijing Dajie and Renmin Dajie
Bus routes: No. 62 or 6

Changbai Mountain
Mighty Changbai Mountain is favored with majestic natural sceneries at which the people from all over the world come to marvel. Tianchi or the Heavenly Lake is at the heart of this splendid place.

Songhua Lake
Songhua Lake is in the east of Changchun, about 24 kilometers (about 14.9 miles) southeast of Jilin City. In fact Songhua Lake is a man-made lake, the largest lake and one of the most well known attractions in Jilin Province. It was formed in 1937 when Fengman Hydroelectric Power Station was built across Songhuajiang River. Surrounded by mighty mountains Songhua Lake is extremely beautiful and elegant

Changchun Accommodation
 
Being a large modern city in China, Changchun is favored with good hotel and hostel facilities to suit your requirements. Altogether there are dozens of star-rated hotels, the best is five-star namely the Shangri-la Hotel. The four-star hotels to be found here are Changchun Overseas Chinese Hotel, Changchun International Conference Center, Maxcourt Hotel, etc. For more detailed information on these hotels, see our discounted Changchun Hotels.
There are many economical hotels. There is a variety of accommodation that will meet your particular requirements and when compared with other big cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Xian, the cost of accommodation is somewhat lower here. The average cost of standard rooms in the three-star hotels is about RMB 200. The price will be much higher during the Chinese golden weeks (National Day holiday and Labors Day holiday) and at times when the city is hosting international events (Changchun International Film Festival, Changchun International Automobile Exposition, etc.). Generally speaking facilities provided by the hotels or hostels and even those that are the least expensive are acceptable. The middle and top rank hotel facilities are rather magnificent. You will also find Chinese and western food restaurants, buffet style diners, KTV, pubs, etc.

Changchun Climate
 
The four seasons in Changchun are clearly defined with spring being dry and windy; summer, short and cool; autumn, sunny and warm during the day but cold at night; winter is cold, with a permanent covering of snow. The average annual temperature of Changchun is about 4.8 degree centigrade. January is the coldest month with an average temperature of -17.2C and according to records, the lowest temperature of Changchun is -39.8C. July is the hottest month with an average temperature about 23C with the highest recorded temperature being 39.5C.