# Jilin travel guide (吉林) Jilin Province · Northeast, China · 11 places Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/destinations/jilin/jilin ## Quick itinerary - **Day 1:** Songhua Lake (take a boat to Wuhu Island in summer; visit Songhua Lake Ski Resort or Beidahu Ski Resort in winter) → Jilin Museum → Beishan Park - **Day 2:** Longtanshan Park → Longtan Mountain Deer Farm → Confucius Temple - **Day 3:** Wulajie Manchu Town → Aladi Korean Ethnic Village ## The feel of the place - **Jilin Rime Ice and Snow Festival:** Held once a year in Jilin City in January, the festival centres on Jilin rime ice, one of China's four great natural wonders. The festivities last about a month. During this time there are grand Northeast yangge dance gatherings, lantern floating and colourful lanterns on the Songhua River, a parade of decorated boats, fireworks evenings, and international and national ice and snow sports competitions including skating, skiing and ice hockey. ## The feel of the place Among all Chinese cities, only one shares its name with its province: Jilin. Compared with other cities in the Northeast, Jilin, surrounded by green hills on four sides and water on three, is clearly more graceful. Its rime ice is especially remarkable. Together with the Three Gorges of the Yangtze, the Guilin landscape and the Stone Forest in Yunnan, it is counted among China's four great natural wonders, and it is unique in the world, leaving visitors amazed at nature's artistry. ### Food Jilin people value food that is abundant and generous, and they judge a dish by its quantity and reputation. "One-Pot Stew" best reflects the character of Jilin people. A very large plate holds spare ribs, braised beans, potatoes, pumpkin and corn, served with corn cakes as the staple. There is so much that you cannot finish it all. This "more than you can eat" is the hospitality of the warm-hearted people of Jilin. ### Beishan Temple Fair Jilin City is home to many ethnic groups, so the festive atmosphere is especially lively during holidays. ### Preparation and Information ### Language The local dialect of Jilin belongs to the Northern dialect family and is close to Mandarin, so there is no barrier to communication. ### Climate and Travel Seasons Jilin has a distinct four-season climate. The annual average temperature is 3–5℃. Spring is dry and windy, summer is hot and rainy, autumn is cool and sunny, and winter is long and cold. Overall, it is a destination suitable for travel in every season. ### Festivals Jilin began holding the "Jilin International Rime Ice and Snow Festival" in 1991, and this year marks its 28th edition in full. Each year has a different theme, with activities such as ice sailing, skating and skiing, as well as ice dance performances and an ice lantern garden party. In recent years, distinctive events have been added, including a winter dragon boat race, the China Snow Golf Championship and an outdoor curling tournament. ## Getting there & around ### Getting There Jilin City is the second-largest city in Jilin Province and is easy to reach. ### By Air Jilin Airport has flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Dalian and other cities, as well as to Xi'an, Chengdu, Kunming, Hangzhou, Xiamen and international destinations such as Seoul and Sendai. ### By Rail The Changtu, Shenji and Jishu railway lines tie Jilin closely to Changchun, Shenyang and Harbin, the three provincial capitals of the Northeast. Jilin also has direct trains to Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Ningbo and Dalian. ### High-Speed Rail At the end of 2010, the Changchun–Jilin intercity railway opened, the first high-speed line in the Northeast. It runs through five stations including Changchun Station, Longjia Airport and Jilin Station. The Jilin City high-speed rail station is still the old railway station. The trip from Jilin City to Changchun takes about 42 minutes, with fares of ¥30–40. ### By Road The Changji Expressway connects with the Jingha Expressway, so you can drive directly from Jilin to the provincial capital Changchun and to Beijing. Main long-distance bus destinations: Changchun, Tonghua, Liaoyuan, Baishan, Ningjiang, Shuangyang, Mudanjiang, Shenyang, Harbin, Jiamusi, Quanyang, Chaoyang, etc. ### Getting Around the City Jilin has an extensive network of city and suburban buses, and buses serve every scenic area. A metro line is under construction and is expected to open in 2025. - **Civil Aviation Ticket Office** — (No. 2288 Chongqing Road, 0432-66518888) - **Railway Station Information Desk** — (No. 185 Chongqing Road, 0432-95105105) ## Eat & drink Jilin's food has a strong Northeastern character and is largely rich, nourishing fare. ### Local Specialties Qingxiang Garden is best known for its three-course bowl set. Signature dishes include Manwei Spare Ribs, Yehe Chicken Legs, Seafood Nest and Qingxiang Aspic. Many restaurants throughout Jilin City serve casserole old tofu. ### Huoshao Fried Pastry Xiaoxiao Huoshao, also called "fork huoshao," is made with tender beef, scallions, fresh ginger, sesame oil and filling, wrapped in a dough made from slightly gritty sand flour. The finished pastry is crisp outside and tender inside, aromatic and savoury, and rich without being greasy. It is a traditional local delicacy of Jilin. ### Specialty Restaurants ### Local Dining - **Fuyuan Hall (Henan Street Branch)** — A long-established local brand that has served several generations of Jilin residents, offering Chinese and Western pastries as well as snacks and quick meals. Recommended: spicy hot pot, mung bean cake and twisted dough sticks, and especially its pastries. (No. 117 Henan Street, Chuanying District, Jilin City, 0432-62075555) - **Li Liangui Smoked Meat Restaurant** — Be sure to try the Northeastern smoked meat pancake here. The pancake is layered, and the meat includes both fatty and lean cuts. It looks irresistible. The sweet bean sauce here is also excellent. (Opposite Guomao Building, No. 88 Shanghai Road, 0432-62487888) - **Jiefang Avenue** — A food street favoured by Jilin locals, where you can sample many flavours of delicious cooking at affordable prices. - **Deer Antler Three-Treasure Soup** — Deer Antler Three-Treasure Soup is made with deer antler, deer tendon and deer whip as the main ingredients, simmered with superior stock and seasonings. - **Steamed White Fish** — The Songhua River, and Songhua Lake in particular, is rich in white fish, so restaurants in Jilin City all offer steamed white fish, a local specialty. - **Qingling Live Fish** — Made famous by the live-fish dining street in Qingling Town, Jiaohe City, and known throughout the country. - **Three-Bowl Set Banquet** — The Three-Bowl Set Banquet is one of the most representative traditional Manchu feasts. The world-famous Manchu-Han Banquet evolved from it. Made with top-quality local ingredients and prepared using 15 techniques, the banquet includes Manchu specialties such as white meat and blood sausage, golden meat slices, Guandong steamed fish and xiaowotou (small steamed buns). - **White Meat and Blood Sausage** — Pork slices processed through five steps until paper-thin and tender, served with light, crisp blood sausage that is pleasantly tender to bite. - **Ginseng Chicken** — Ginseng is one of the Northeast's Three Treasures. Stewed with an old hen, ginseng chicken soup is said to refresh the mind, sharpen the wits and slow ageing. ## Shopping Jilin City is one of the main producing areas of the Northeast's Three Treasures (ginseng, sable fur and deer antler). Besides the Three Treasures, famous local specialties include rhodiola, forest frogs, bulaocao, lingzhi mushroom, bracken fern shoots, weicai (fern shoots) and black fungus. ### Recommended Shopping - **Henan Street and East Market** — A famous commercial pedestrian street in Jilin City. Whether you want large shopping malls or specialty boutiques, you'll find them here, making it the top choice for shoppers. - **Jilin Paper-Cutting** — Jilin paper-cutting originated with the Manchu people and has a distinctive Northeastern character. - **Songhua River Scenic Stones** — Songhua River scenic stones are found in the Songhua River and feature natural beauty, colour, form and charm, with high collecting and appreciation value. - **Jilin Hand-Painted Wood Carving** — Jilin hand-painted wood carvings are hand-carved from fine-grained birch wood. - **Bark Painting** — Available in two types: birch bark painting and silver fungus painting. Birch bark paintings use the composition of Chinese landscape painting, with finely carved details and elegant colouring. Silver fungus paintings are made mainly from laoniugan, a local fungus, and their relief sculptures of birds and beasts are lifelike and vivid. - **Songhua Lake Driftwood Root Carving** — Driftwood from Songhua Lake has been shaped by nature into countless forms, with natural charm and ingenious shapes. Its simple, rustic beauty expresses vigorous life. Jilin City has also set up a Songhua Lake Driftwood Art Research Society. - **Jilin Painted and Carved Gourds** — Made from locally grown gourds, Jilin painted and carved gourds are a distinctive souvenir of the province. ## Where to stay Jilin City has good hotels at every price level, from budget to upscale. If you find Jilin's accommodation unsatisfactory, consider staying in Changchun instead. The two cities are close together, and transport between them is very convenient. - **Wusong Hotel** — Jilin Wusong Hotel sits east of the scenic Longtan Hill and west of the lush, tranquil Songhua River. In winter you can admire snow-covered willows by the river, and in summer the ancient green mountains. Transport is convenient. (29 Longtan Street, 0432-63919666) ## Things to see - **Rime (Soft Rime) Scenery** (★★★★★): Admission ¥80; Opening hours 6：00—15：50; Time needed 1–2 days — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/rime-soft-rime-scenery - **Longtanshan Park** (★★★): Admission Free; Opening hours 8：00—16：00; Time needed 2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/longtanshan-park - **Zhuqueshan National Forest Park** (★★★): Admission ¥30; ski resort ¥58; Time needed 4–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/zhuqueshan-national-forest-park - **Beishan Scenic Area** (★★★): Admission ¥5; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/beishan-scenic-area - **Beidahu Ski Resort** (★★★): Admission Weekdays (Mon–Fri): full-day lift ticket ¥460 (excluding equipment); 3-hour lift ticket ¥370 (excluding equipment); beginner slope ticket ¥238; night session ticket ¥238 (includes cable car) Weekends (Sat–Sun): full-day lift ticket ¥580 (excluding equipment); 3-hour lift ticket ¥460 (excluding equipment); beginner slope ticket ¥298; night session ticket ¥298 (includes cable car); Time needed 1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/beidahu-ski-resort - **Vanke Songhua Lake Resort** (★★★): Admission Free; charges vary by activity within the resort; Time needed 3–5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/vanke-songhua-lake-resort - **Hongye Valley Scenic Area** (★★★★): Admission Off-season ¥80, peak season ¥100; Free; Free; Free; ¥80; Opening hours 8：00—17：00；8：00—18：00；8：30—16：00; Time needed 2 hours; 2–3 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/hongye-valley-scenic-area ## Day trips & beyond - **Ji'an** (★★★★): — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/ji-an - **Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom** (★★★): Opening hours 8:00–17:00 (May 1 – October 8) 8:40–16:00 (October 9 – April 30 of the following year); Time needed 5 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/capital-cities-and-tombs-of-the-ancient-koguryo-kingdom - **Guanma Karst Cave** (★★★): Admission ¥60; Time needed 1–2 hours — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/guanma-karst-cave - **Lafashan National Forest Park** (★★★★): Admission ¥60; Opening hours 8:30–16:30 (Mon–Fri); 8:00–17:30 (Sat–Sun); Time needed 1 day — https://cnatrip.com/en/places/lafashan-national-forest-park --- Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 2196–2214. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.