Changchun

Changchun has large temperature swings between day and night in autumn, so pack a warm jacket.

With historic buildings from the modern era, forest scenery and northeastern Chinese food, Changchun is well suited to a 3-day, 2-night city break.

• Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo: This 5A-rated attraction occupies the former palace where Puyi lived. Buildings such as Qinmin Building, Tongde Hall and Jixi Building are well preserved, with red walls and golden roof tiles that reflect the period. Renting an audio guide is recommended; allow about 2–3 hours.

• Jingyuetan National Forest Park: This park has extensive planted forests, with forest covering 96% of its area. The clear lake is a pleasant setting for cycling around the shore or walking along wooden boardwalks. A sightseeing shuttle ticket makes getting around easier.

• Changchun Film Studio Museum: Housed in the former Changchun Film Studio, this museum displays vintage film posters, props and other materials tracing the development of Chinese cinema since 1949. The interior retains a nostalgic atmosphere.

• The Hill (Zhe You Shan): This shopping and leisure landmark incorporates a mountain-like landscape into a mall. Inside are a cave bookstore, Wenchan Pavilion and several shops selling creative products. Each floor has a different layout, and the nighttime scenery is worth setting aside time for.

• Nanhu Park: This free city park has a broad lake. In the evening, you can walk along the shore or take a boat ride, with sunset views on clear days.

• Route 54 Tram: This vintage-style green tram passes through the tree-lined sections of Xinmin Street. The fare is 2 yuan, making it a leisurely way to see the streets along the route. It also appeared in the television drama A Lifelong Journey.

3-Day, 2-Night Itinerary

• Day 1｜Historic Buildings and Evening Food in the City
  • Morning: Start at the Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo. Arrive early if possible and allow 2–3 hours to explore its modern history and palace architecture.
  • Afternoon: Visit the Xinmin Street historic district. Walk along the street to see century-old buildings and plane trees.
  • Evening: Have dinner on Guilin Road Food Street, sampling grilled cold noodles, stir-fried starch noodles and pounded rice cakes while enjoying the local evening dining scene.
• Day 2｜Forest Scenery and Film Culture
  • Morning: Explore Jingyuetan National Forest Park. Rent an electric vehicle or take a sightseeing shuttle around the lake, and visit Goddess Square and the Vasa Museum.
  • Afternoon: Return to the city to visit the Changchun Film Studio Museum and experience immersive theater. Then head across the road to The Hill (Zhe You Shan) for shopping and a meal.
  • Early evening: Ride the Route 54 Tram to enjoy the evening light and tree-lined streets, then head to Nanhu Park for a walk and sunset views.
• Day 3｜Museums and Leisure in the City
  • Morning: Visit the Jilin Provincial Museum, which requires advance reservations and is closed on Mondays. Alternatively, visit Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park to see the performer known as Xuebing Monkey.
  • Afternoon: Eat in the Hongqi Street shopping district or Chongqing Road shopping district. Try northeastern Chinese dishes and buy gifts before heading home.

Must-Try Food in Changchun

Northeastern Chinese food comes in generous portions with bold flavors, and Changchun offers plenty of local specialties to try.

• Guobaorou (Sweet-and-Sour Crispy Pork): Fried pork with a crisp coating and a sweet-and-sour sauce, commonly served as a main dish in northeastern China.
• Xueyi Dousha (Red Bean Paste in Egg-White Batter): Red bean paste wrapped in egg white, with a light, soft texture and gentle sweetness. It is a traditional Jilin dessert.
• Jiang Gutou (Braised Pork Bones): Slow-cooked until the meat is tender, with a rich savory sauce. Eat the meat straight off the bones and enjoy the marrow.
• Bairou Xuechang (Pork and Blood Sausage): Pork and blood sausage simmered together with pickled cabbage. The pork is fatty without being greasy, while the sausage is smooth and tender.
• Changchun Stir-Fried Starch Noodles: A common street snack with springy, slippery noodles, easily found around Guilin Road.
• Kao Shidan (Grilled Firm Eggs): Grilled until browned and fragrant outside while remaining tender inside, usually served with garlic chili sauce.

• Xueyi Dousha (Red Bean Paste in Egg-White Batter): Red bean paste wrapped in egg white, with a light, soft texture and gentle sweetness. It is a traditional Jilin dessert.

• Jiang Gutou (Braised Pork Bones): Slow-cooked until the meat is tender, with a rich savory sauce. Eat the meat straight off the bones and enjoy the marrow.

• Bairou Xuechang (Pork and Blood Sausage): Pork and blood sausage simmered together with pickled cabbage. The pork is fatty without being greasy, while the sausage is smooth and tender.

• Changchun Stir-Fried Starch Noodles: A common street snack with springy, slippery noodles, easily found around Guilin Road.

• Kao Shidan (Grilled Firm Eggs): Grilled until browned and fragrant outside while remaining tender inside, usually served with garlic chili sauce.

Accommodation and Transport Tips

• Where to stay: Choose accommodation near Guilin Road or Hongqi Street. Guilin Road is close to the food street and metro, making everyday meals convenient. Hongqi Street is near The Hill and the former Changchun Film Studio, saving time when visiting these attractions.
• Getting around: Changchun Metro Lines 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7, together with buses, serve the main attractions. Taxi fares within the city are relatively low. You can drive or take the light rail to Jingyuetan. The park is large, so using the sightseeing shuttle is recommended.

Travel Tips

• Book ahead: The Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo and Jilin Provincial Museum require reservations through their official mini programs and are usually closed on Mondays. Confirm opening times before planning your itinerary.
• Watch the time: The sun sets early in Changchun in autumn and winter. Some attractions stop admitting visitors at around 15:30, so plan sightseeing for daylight hours.
• What to wear: Temperatures vary noticeably between day and night in autumn, so bring a thick jacket. Wear comfortable athletic shoes when visiting Jingyuetan.
• Budget: Prices in Changchun are generally modest, and attraction tickets are relatively inexpensive. A meal costing 30–50 yuan per person is usually filling.