Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo

The Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo is a museum in Changchun of Jilin Province in northeast China. From 1932 to 1945, it once served as the residence of China's last emperor Puyi and the head office of puppet Manchukuo set up by the Japanese Army intruding into the Northeast of China.

In 1931, Japanese overran the Northeast of China and forcibly colonized three provinces in that area. In order to bring the region under their control they created the Manchu State (1932-1945) and set up Puyi, the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), as its nominal head of state. However, he was merely a puppet ruler answerable to the Japanese Amy. An imperial palace was then established in Changchun from where Puyi held court under the direction of his Japanese masters. Finally, in 1945, the Second World War was brought to an end and the Japanese surrendered to China. At the same time, the Manchukuo ceased to exist and Puyi returned to the status of an ordinary citizen.


Now Puyi has long been dead and the past is past and although the Imperial Palace suffered a certain amount of damage in 1945, most of the buildings and facilities are still safe and sound. In 1962, the Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo was restored on the old site located on the Guangfu Road of Changchun City. Now the protected part is 137,000 square meters (33.85 acres), and the exhibition area covers 47,000 square meters (11.61 acres).

The exhibits in the Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo have been set up in three sections: a display relating to the colonial state; a subject exhibition and finally, a display illustrating the daily lives of the Emperor and his concubines. Amongst the collection of important relics, there is a carpet from Jingren Palace in the Chinese Forbidden City, documents signed by Puyi and so on. The entire palace is surrounded by high walls, and there are about ten buildings in it. The main part of the palace is divided into two sections - the outer palace and the inner palace. This was where the emperor managed the puppet state and held ceremonies and includes Qinmin Mansion, Huaiyuan Mansion and Jiale Palace. Besides, there are other places of amusement in the outer palace, such as the garden, artificial hills, swimming pool and the horse race course. The inner palace was occupied by the Emperor and his concubines. For instance, the Emperor Puyi and the Empress Wan Rong once resided in Jixi mansion. The Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo is also a research center dealing with the history of the Japanese invasion of China and the Manchu State. In a sense, this museum provides excellent patriotic education.


In a word, the Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo enables the visitor to gain a clear understanding of the Manchu State and for anyone who is interested in Chinese history a visit here is extremely worthwhile.

Tips:

The museum provides audio guides which are of particular benefit to Westerners. The rental charge is CNY 40.
 

How to get to Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo

1. Take Subway Line 4 to Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo directly.
2. Take Bus 264 to Wei Man Huang Gong (Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo).
3. Take Bus 10, 131, 141, 168, 275, or 276 to Shi Qi Shi Zhong Xue and then walk south for 3 minutes to the museum.
 
Entrance Fee CNY 70;
Free for children under 1.3m (4.3 feet).
Opening Hours May - Oct. 7: 8:30 - 17:20;
Oct. 8 - Apr.: 8:30 - 16:50;
Ticket selling stops 70 minutes earlier.

 Top 8 Things to Do in Changchun
- Last updated on Dec. 04, 2023 -
Questions & Answers on Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo
Asked by Chong Meng Hwee from SINGAPOREC | Dec. 04, 2023 00:14Reply
Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo
We are from Singapore. We are planning to visit Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo on 13 Dec 2023 (Wed).
Do we need to do advance booking ? How to do it if need to do advance booking ?
Can we buy the visting ticket on 13 Dec and walk in ?

Thanks and hear from you.

Regards,
Chong Meng Hwee
Answers (1)
Answered by Harry | Dec. 04, 2023 00:35
00Reply


You can buy tickets at the spot on the same day.
Asked by Chong Meng Hwee from SINGAPORE | Oct. 29, 2023 21:54Reply
Changchun Railway Station to Imperial Palace of Manchukuo
We are going to visit China on Dec'23 and plan to visit Imperial Palace of Manchukuo.

How to connect subway to Imperial Palace of Manchukuo when we are stop at Changchun Railway Station ?

Thanks and hear from you.

Regards,
Chong Meng Hwee
Answers (5)
Answered by Emily | Oct. 30, 2023 02:45
00Reply


It is available to take Metro Line 3 directly, which takes only 10 minutes.
Answered by Chong Meng Hwee | Oct. 30, 2023 05:16
00Reply


On line mentioned only Line 4 reach imperial Palace from Changchun North Station

We want to know if we are at changchun Station (not North station(, how can we connect the subway line and reach imperial Palace? Tks
Answered by Emily | Oct. 30, 2023 17:59
00Reply


Metro Line 3 and 4 are both available but Line 4 takes less travel time. The metro station is just under the Changchun Railway Station. It can be easily reached by following the instructions of the station.
Answered by Chong Meng Hwee | Oct. 31, 2023 07:34
00Reply


Kindly advise can we take subway Line 1 from Changchun Railway Station to Changchun Railway Station North just one station and change to line 4 and continue the subway to Museum of the Imperial Palace ?
Answered by Jessica | Oct. 31, 2023 18:29
00Reply


Yes, you can.


Asked by Daniel from SPAIN | Mar. 11, 2019 01:58Reply
Hello, this Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo is opened on Mondays? Thanks
Answers (1)
Answered by Eleanora from AUSTRALIA | Mar. 12, 2019 23:20
00Reply


Yes, this museum opens on Mondays.
Asked by Mr.Molly | May. 25, 2009 04:51Reply
A good place to understand the history
Answers (1)
Answered by Mrs.Sonnerup from SWEDEN | Jul. 22, 2010 04:14
00Reply


I liked my visit to the palace too, however I was very surpriced when I met a local old guy who lived during the Japanese rule. In the WWII, most nations tried to defend themselves against Germans in Europe, because they wanted. In Manchuria, old people miissed the time, when Japan had the power. Acording to him, life for him and his family were far better during the Japanese rule, than later under the Chinese communist rule! His family had enough food to eat and his siblings could enjoy good educations with real contents.
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