
Although Changchun has been more than 200 years old, it is still a young city comparing other historical cities in China, like Xian. It is located the central part of Songliao Plain, covering a total area of 20,571 square kilometers (about 8,012 square miles). Being the capital city of Jilin Province with clivia as its city flower, Changchun is the political, economic and cultural center. If territory of China is in a shape of rooster, therefore Changchun is one eye of this huge rooster. You can imagine its important position.
Changchun has suffered a lot of hardships, especially in modern times. In 1931 Japan invaded and occupied entire northeast part of China, which can be considered the prelude of Chinese Anti-Japanese War. Obviously Changchun became a colony of Japanese imperialists. On March 1, 1932, Puyi, the last emperor of China, set up Manchukuo in Changchun supported by Japanese invaders, taking Changchun as the capital. From then on brutal rule of Japanese upon Chinese people had begun. After a long time of struggle and resistance, finally Changchun broke off the ruthless rule, stepping into a bright and splendid future.
The present Changchun is charming city with several fine names which can give you a general impression of this big city.
Spring City of Northland: Changchun is of monsoon climate, locating in the transitional belt from wet area to sub-dry area. The four seasons varies a lot and the climate is rather pleasant, therefore Changchun is honored Spring City of Northland.
Forest City: Woods, forest, people, city interweave together to show you a distinctive characteristic of Changchun. 39% of Changchun ground has been clothed with greenage, which makes Changchun one of top cities in this aspect. Green plants in and around Changchun make the city become a big oxygen bar, providing people to enjoy real fresh air.
Barn: Spring is dry and windy; summer is wet and rainy; autumn is sunny and cool; winter is cold. Generally speaking rain and heat come in the same season. Besides, favorable climate and enough sunshine provide very good condition for the growth of crops. Changchun teems with corn and soybean; therefore it is praised as barn.
City of Automobiles: Changchun is the cradle of Chinese automobile industry, a famous auto city in China. On July 13, 1956, a truck branded with Jiefang was produced, which opened a new age for Chinese auto industry. This truck was the first automobile entirely made by Chinese. Famous and Changchun International Automobile Fair makes Changchun a real City of Automobiles.
City of Films: Changchun Film Studio was the first one after the found of People's Republic of China. It is praised as the cradle of Chinese film industry. For dozens of years, a great many excellent domestic films and dubbed films were produced here which gained a good fame for Changchun Film Studio both at home and abroad. As a calling card of Changchun, ceremonious Changchun Film Festival has enhanced its honor City of Film. Film is an intermedium. People outside Changchun have known more about this city through film; while Changchun has presented more of itself by films.
It is undeniable that Changchun is also a good travel destination. The natural sceneries of Changchun lie in lakes and forests. Nanhu Park (South Lake Park), Jingyuetan National Forest Park are good places for you to enjoy the pleasure given by nature. Especially in winter the whole Changchun city will give you a real enjoyment of genuine winter. Besides, there are colonial vestiges, such as Puppet Emperor's Palace, Badabu. Still Changchun Film Studio and Changchun Movie City provide you another different kind of enjoyment comparing with simply watching movies in cinemas.
As the fast development of tourist industry, those related tourist facilities in Changchun are also in a quick growth. Nowadays there are more than 30 star-rated hotels in Changchun, among which three hotels are five-star rated.
51 trains begin or pass by Changchun Railway Station everyday; more than thirty domestic airlines and four international lines of Changchun Longjia International Airport provide you much convenience of transportation. Four main speedways have connected Changchun with many parts of China. At present there are four special tourist trains having been in use, Changchun to Xianghai (for watching lovely birds), Changchun to Changbai Mountain (for enjoying Heavenly Lake), Changchun to Jilin (for tasting real ice and snow) and Changchun to Hunchun (for feel exotic flavor of Russia).
Nightlife of Changchun is not as colorful and romantic as that of other big cities in China, such as Shanghai, Beijing, however, it has its own distinctive flavor which can be only known after you taste it in person. Various kinds of pubs, coffee bars, teahouses and other amusement centers will make you feel at ease.
Changchun Tour Information:
Hiking Tours: Information about hiking in Changchun for your reference

Copyright © 1998-2010 TravelChinaGuide.com, All rights reserved.
Q & A on Changchun
1.
Sep. 2,2010 03:27 Reply
Ms.Spring(Bangladesh) said:
Hi, I am going to Changchun to study in CUST. Can someone tell me how cold is the area during Sept-Oct-Nov-Dec? What type of clothes I should take? I hope to return during next winter holiday.
Is there any local English newspaper/Tv/ radio, where I can apply for part-time job?
Sep. 2,2010 19:56
Mr.Michael replied:
The weather in September would be cool but not cold, T-Shirts, jackets will do, in the following months you might need to take warmer clothes, since the winter in Changchun would be cold, you'd need down coat, sweaters.
If you want a part time job, I think you can be a English Teacher at some local training school, I know a lot of foreigners have done that in other cities.
2.
Aug. 27,2010 20:02 Reply
Ms.Marcia(China) said:
Hello everybody! I've just arrived to Changchun and want to rent an apartment for 1 person for half a year or so. Where and how should I look for it? There is almost nothing on the web so far. I can speak\read Chinese extremely little, so Chinese ads do not help... Any ideas?
Aug. 28,2010 01:02
Mr.Carlos replied:
Will you come to Changchun for work or? If so, I think you could ask your office to look one for you. In fact, there are few local estate agent good at English, even not a website.
Aug. 28,2010 03:59
Mr.marcia(China) replied:
Carlos, thanks for your reply! No, I came to study and presently stay in the dorms, but would like a place of my own. Could you please refer me to any specific agent?
3.
Aug. 23,2010 12:17 Reply
Ms.A(S) said:
Hi everyone,
I am coming to Changchun in a week to teach and have no idea what to expect. I have worked in Dongying, Shandong for about 3 years, but hear Changchun is very different. Are there any African or African-Americans there that I might find to talk to? What about Christian churches with English corners? Any info will help ease my mind.
Aug. 24,2010 01:48
Ms.CELIANA(China) replied:
Yes, Changchun is very different from Dongying, Dongying is a seaside city and Changchun is far from sea. And the winter in Changchun is pretty long and cold. You must prepare for yourself some thick clothes. Foreigners are gathered in Changchun University, many foreign teachers live there. And in the vehicle companies there are also many foreigners. And Changchun is the first Chinese City that totally designed by foreign architect. There is a pub called May Flower, there are many foreigners. Changchun Christian Church is located at Dongsidao Jie, Nanguan District, Changchun(长春市南关区东四道街), have a nice time in Changchun!
4.
Aug. 10,2010 08:59 Reply
Mr.Ravi(india) said:
Hi all again,
I have finaly decided to move to changchun and will try to open a indian restaurant there. Can anyone give me more informatiomn....like which street or area is good to open...how much is rent there for around 100 to 150 sqm...whats is thelegal procedure ..
5.
Aug. 7,2010 04:06 Reply
Mr.Khoy Sophoin(Cambodia) said:
I want to know the fee of air ticket travel to Changchun
Aug. 7,2010 04:54
Mr.Hank replied:
Where will you start the journey? It is suggested that you use this website's flight search tool to get the real-time airfare and schedule. Good luck!