Jilin Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 吉林市 (jí lín shì)
Population: 4,135,200
Area: 27,120 square kilometers (10,471 square miles)
Location: in the central area of Jilin Province, northeast China
Administrative Division: 4 districts (Chuanying, Longtan, Changyi, Fengman); 1 county (Yongji); 4 county-level cities (Panshi, Jiaohe, Huadian, Shulan)
Area Code: 0432
Zip Code: 132000
GDP (2018): CNY 221.024 billion (USD 34.402 billion)

Situated in the hinterland of Northeastern China, Jilin City is in the transition area between Changbai Mountains and Songnen Plain. It ranks the second largest city of Jinlin Province only next to Changchun and it is the only city in China sharing the same name with the province. The city is bounded on the north by Heilongjiang, and neighbors the capital city, Changchun, to the west. Jilin City used to be the residence of Manchus and literally means city along the river in Manchu.

In the city, an ecological park built along the Songhuajiang River and clear Songhua Lake are favored by local people to avoid summer heat. When autumn comes, the city will be dressed in beautiful colors, especially the Jiaohe Red Leaf Valley. Every September, Changbai Mountain Red Leaf Tourism Festival is held. Visitors can see wonderful performances, excellent works of art and photography of red leaves. In winter, the rising water mist in the unfrozen Songhua River is cold and frozen into frost flowers on the trees. The magnificent rime scenes are sought after by a large number of photographers.

It is a small island on Songhua River. With its advantageous position, the island boasts gorgeous rime scenery in winter. Zengtong Village and Hantun Village near Rime Island are the best places to appreciate rime scenery.

This is a long narrow lake formed by the dam construction on the Songhua River. The lake is surrounded by mountains and dotted with islets in the water. The beauty of the scenic area consists in its vast lake, verdant forest and green mountains. It is definitely a perfect summer resort.

Located in the Songhua Lake area, this skiing field is regarded as the largest and the most advanced skiing ground with the most advantageous natural conditions for skiing. Not only a national scenic area, it is also an important arena and coaching grid for winter games.

The meteorite shower which occurred during 1976 is the most magnificent in the whole world. The 1,770 kilogram aerolite displayed in the exhibition hall of the meteorite shower here is the largest aerolite in the world.

There are special buses in front of Jilin Railway Station running to the Songhua Lake every 40 minutes. The external transportation of the city is convenient. It is 130 kilometers (81 miles) away from Changchun and dozens of buses depart every day to Changchun within every two hours. Some people praise the Songjiang Road (Middle) as beautiful as the Shanghai Bund. It is the best location to appreciate the nightscape, and an excellent place to admire the rimed trees along the Songhua River. Jilin Ertaizi Airport in northwest Jilin is still planned. Visitors can fly to Changchun at first, and then travel to Jilin by train or intercity bus.
 See also:
Beijing to Jilin Train
Changchun to Jilin / Jilin to Changchun: Best Ways to Travel

Jinlin belongs to a temperate continental monsoon climate. Located at a high altitude, the city has four distinct seasons, among which the winter is especially long and chilly. Due to the terrain, the temperature of Jilin weather drops accordingly with increasing heights from the northwest to the southeast. January is the coldest month of a year with an average temperature of -18C (-0.4F). Jilin is a tourist destination favorable at any seasons. January to February is the coldest period, but the most beautiful season for the snowscape and rimed trees. 

 History: The name is short for Jilin Wula, a Manchu word meaning 'a city along the river'. Before the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), the ancestors of the Man ethnic minority lived there. It was brought into the territory of the Jurchen Jin Dynasty in 1115. In late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it became a part of the Manchu Khanate (Kingdom), which later took over as the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in 1644.

 Physical Features: The beautiful Songhua River twines through the city, from the Changbai Mountains in the southeast. The terrain gradually slopes downwards from the southeast to the northwest, creating and dividing the landform tapestry into mountain area, hilly area, lakes in valleys and valley plains.

 Local Highlights: Jilin Rime Ice and Snow Festival (between December and February)

 Special Local Products: ginseng, marten, pilose antler, forest frog ovary oil; root carving of tidal wood in Songhua Lake, bark paintings

 Recommended Tour Information:
Hiking Adventures: Information about hiking for your reference