Why go
The Manchukuo palace museum is unflinching: restored treaty halls, Puyi's billiard room and altar, and exhibitions on the puppet state's machinery. It is the single best place in China to understand this corner of the 1930s, and English labelling is decent.
Changchun was also the base of China's biggest film studio, and its museum keeps the old sets, dubbing theatres and a full prop warehouse. Jingyuetan forest park, southeast of town, is the city's green lung — hiking in summer, a small ski resort in winter.
- Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo — Puyi's 1932–45 residence
- Changchun Film Studio Museum — the birthplace of New China cinema
- Jingyuetan — 100 km² of planted forest with ski runs in winter
- The 'Tram of Time' — a 1940s trolley still running
Where to go
Do the palace museum at opening time, then the film museum in the afternoon. Finish on the 54-route heritage tram or rent a bike at Jingyuetan if energy remains.
What to eat
Northeast standards apply: 锅包肉, dumplings and 'iron pot' stews. In winter, eat candied hawthorn (tanghulu) from street vendors.
Getting there
- HSR from Shenyang 1h10, Harbin 1h
- Role
- Capital of Jilin province
- Film heritage
- Changchun Film Studio, est. 1945
- Winter
- Ski season Dec–Feb at Jingyuetan
