Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Changchun

The Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo, located in the northeast corner of urban Changchun City, was once the residence of Aisin-Gioro Puyi, last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, from 1932 to 1945 when he acted as the puppet emperor of the Japanese-controlled state of Manchukuo. Today, this Palace has been restored to the time when Puyi lived and worked in it, exhibiting a multitude of historical documents and antiques in a bid to help tourists understand the first half of his life and the crimes committed by the Japanese invaders.

Jingyue Pool, a reservoir in the southeast suburb of Changchun City, was named after its crescent shape. The park cradling this pool has become Changchun’s largest forest park thanks to the many trees planted around the crescent pool. Entering the Jingyue Pool Forest Park, you will be able to stroll along the wooden walkway hidden beneath the forest canopy all the while breathing in fresh woodland air.

Located in the southeast of urban Changchun and to the west of Jingyue Pool, Changchun Film Century City is a famous movie-themed park in China built using a similar design as used at Universal Studios Hollywood and Disney Parks in the United States. With the incorporation of the latest technologies in movie viewing, tourists are able to enjoy 4D films, laser water-screen films, and IMAX films all the while being able to learn about the movie making process.

Changchun Film Studio, the first studio established after the founding of the P.R.C., is known as the cradle of this country's cinema, and has enjoyed seven “firsts” in China's cinematic history. It successively produced more than 900 feature films and turned out over 1,000 foreign films. A host of outstanding films, such as Five Golden Flowers, Battle on Shangganling Mountain, Heroic Sons and Daughters, Liu Sanjie, and The White-Haired Girl, resonated deeply with several generations of Chinese people.

Jilin University, founded in 1946, is a key comprehensive university under the direct jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China. It consists of six campuses covering eight areas scattered around Changchun City. The most famous attractions on campus are Qing Pond and Yan Pond, which are uniquely built with great views of the surrounding scenery. It is reported that the pond’s name was inspired by the ancient saying, ‘’the world is at peace." The names embody the university’s aims to “create a tranquil environment under which moral values are respected, rigorous scholarship is practiced, and progress is achieved.”

Located in the south of urban Changchun, South Lake Park currently ranks as the second largest city park in China, second only to Beijing’s Summer Palace. More than half of its area is occupied by the South Lake, this park is adorned with willows where birds twitter and flowers exude a plethora of enticing fragrance. If you have the chance to stroll through the winding bridge spanning the lake and the pavilions standing on its edge, you will be able to glimpse the immense allure of the artistic creation drawn from the essence of Jiangnan. Taking a boat road or enjoying cool summer strolls are some of the activities you can enjoy at this enchanting destination. It is always pleasant to come here during the summer. You are able to set up a tent in some areas, sheltering you from the scorching sun and allowing you to have a family picnic or play card games while chatting with family and friends.

Banruo Temple, a key monastery where the Buddhist Association of Jilin Province dwells, is located in the northeast corner of the People's Square in Changchun City, Jilin Province. In 1983, it was designated as a National Key Buddhist Temple in the Han Chinese Area by the State Council. This temple was built in 1922 from houses donated by lay Buddhists covering an area of 20,000 square meters. Back then, Changchun's Buddhist community invited Venerable Master Tanxu to lecture on the Diamond Sutra, who as a result named the temple as “Banruo Temple.”

Dongbeifeng Theater has greatly contributed to the development of the traditional Northeast Chinese genre of folk dancing and singing known as Errenzhuan which has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. The completion of this theater’s construction transformed the previous conditions in which performers had to work at primitive, substandard venues as it offers these performers and audiences a brand-new stage equipped with modern facilities where they can appreciate the art in a cozy, entertaining environment.

Changchun World Sculpture Park, located in the south of Changchun, is the world's largest sculpture park built in downtown area. This park houses nearly 500 sculptures, which are arguably some of the best works of art of this type in the world. The park enjoys beautiful scenery and sculptures are placed all around, allowing tourists to not only appreciate these magnificent works of art but also feel the tranquility of the nature within the surrounding areas.

Changchun’s Zoological and Botanical Garden is located in the southeast of Changchun. It was formerly known as the "Tiger Park” preceded by the "Xinjing Zoological and Botanical Garden" which was constructed in 1938. It was known as ‘Asia’s number 1” fauna and flora garden due to the expanse occupied and the diverse range of animal and plant species it showcased. Today, tourists to this garden are able to feast their eyes on the golden monkeys, giraffes, white rhinoceroses, Asian elephants, and other precious animals, and to also enjoy a tour of the amusement park and miniature Japanese gardens which were constructed at a later stage.