Attractions in Jilincity: Beishan Park Confucius Temple Meteorite Museum Songhua Lake Area

Jilin City Introduction

Jilin is the second largest city in the province, with a population of a mere 1.3 million people, and it is the only city in China with a name the same as its province. In Manchurian dialect the city is named "city along the river", a reference to the Songhua River that winds through the city like the Thames, bisecting it.

The city was originally first formed as a fortress against foreign and domestic invaders but remained in relative peace until World War II when the city was badly damaged and then plundered by the conquering Russian troops. After the Communist victory, the cities fortunes began to improve a little, as the city transformed itself into an industrial powerhouse. Today it specializes in the manufacturing of chemicals, pharmaceuticals and machines, as well as electricity from its hydroelectric power plant.

Yet the city is not all work and no play. Although generally it is not the most interesting or pretty, it still has some half decent parks, a gothic Catholic Church and some impressive winter scenery. Winter is definitely the time to come here, with some decent skiing slopes and the famed "rimy pines" that bring in flocks of local tourists. Many also come here to see the popular Ice Lantern Festival in January and February, that has long attempted to rival its Harbin neighbor.

Sight Overview

The Changbaishan Nature Reserve is an area of astounding natural and rugged beauty. The sights here are all related to the volcanic activity that used to make this region unstable and dangerous. Thankfully, nowadays, the most dangerous things encountered on the range are probably the rare Siberian Tigers and the cold waters of the Heavenly Lake, that is purported to contain a monster of Loch Ness proportions.

The mountainous reserve boasts altogether 16 peaks, all of which surround the azure lake. The lake itself is the regions most popular sight, and is the central focus for the whole region. To the north of the lake lies the biggest waterfall, with a fall of 68 meters and this is the source of two of Jilin's rivers: the Songhua and the Tumen. About one kilometer from the waterfall are a profusion of hotsprings that are popular for their healing capacities.

Of lesser fame, and therefore less plagued by tourists, are the "below ground" forests, that grow in the craters of extinct volcanoes. This area is good for walking, although you may want to watch that you do not wander off into Communist North Korea. By far the farthest attraction is the Changbaishan Canyon, a region of strangely shaped rocks and good walking routes