Beishan or Northern Hill Park (Beishan Gongyuan) is a large, quiet park, situated in the west of Jilin. The park has many interesting features, and is considered an optimum venue for its summer lotus flowers and winter "rimy pines." Originally the park was established in 1927, but has undergone renovations and expansion many times since then. The park is reminiscent of many of the similar areas in Suzhou and Hangzhou, with pavilions, bridges, corridors and terraces well designed and scattered about among the hills. Three small linked lakes run along the foot of the main mountain (Taoyuan Mountain in the west of the park), and it is possible to take a boat to the islet and pavilion in the center of the lake. In the northwestern corner of the park is a Mausoleum for Martyrs who died during the early Communist years, and the memorial hall has epigraphs by Chairman Mao and... more >>

Dongbei has seen a few mysterious happenings in its time. In the early 1900s a huge explosion in Siberia rocked the area and rumors circulated of UFO activity, meteor strikes and even early Russian nuclear testing.  In March 1976 a heavy meteorite shower hit the area around Jilin. This shower reputedly originated in the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars. After the 1976 shower, local astrologers took action to preserve the 138 pieces of meteorite they found. Many of these pieces can be seen in the Meteorite Museum today (Jilin Yunshi Bowuguan). The heaviest piece weighs a hefty 1,775kg and it is said to be the largest extant meteorite in the world. Scientific analysis determines the meteor fragments to be 4.6 billion years old, about the same age as the earth.   more >>

Seemingly out of place in such a small and comparatively insignificant city, the large Confucius Temple (Wen Miao) in Jilin is a grand, stately structure. The temple is ranked as one of the four largest of its kind along with the Qufu, Nanjing and Beijing temples. The layout here is in a similar style to the Nanjing Confucius Temple. In terms of sheer size the Jilin temple is second only to that in Qufu, Shandong Province, home to the great philosopher and educator himself. The temple was built in 1909, just two years before the collapse of the last of the Chinese dynasties, the Qing (1644-1911). The south-facing complex is 221m by 74m large, surrounded by walls on four sides that rise as high as three meters.  You will see most of the standard buildings here: the Hall of Great Achievements, the Hall of the Relics of the Sage and various peripheral structures. Exhibited ... more >>

Songhua Lake Area  (Songhuahu Fengjingqu), located 24 kilometers east of the city center, is a popular tourist spot close to the city. This long, narrow lake surrounded by hilly forests is a good place to visit all year around. In the spring and summer the area is ideal for boating and swimming and in the winter for skiing. Originally this area was a little known mountainous region. In 1937, however, construction began on the Fengman Dam, named for its proximity to the nearby town of the same name.   Covering a total area of 700 square meters, Songhuahu boasts eight scenic spots within the lake area, ranging from peaks and ponds to attractive hilly slopes. Apart from its picturesque scenery, the lake also abounds in flora and fauna: whitefish, carp and nameless fish as well as over 160 species of herbal medicines. If you are lucky enough, you may also... more >>

Beidahu Ski Area (Beidahu Huaxue Chang) is an important ski sport base and tourist resort in China.  Beidahu has ideal conditions for both skiing and snowboarding with six alpine trails, six lifts, three jumps, and the highest mountain at 1400 meters. While this is no Aspen or Whistler, Beidahu provides good conditions and decent hills in beautiful surroundings. Beidahu was also chosen as the venue of China's 8th and 9th Winter Olympics.  The best time to ski in Beidahu is between 10am to 2pm when the sunshine shines on the snow tracks. For skiers who prefer cross country to downhill, an excellent cross country trail is available. The ski season generally lasts from December to February.   more >>

Located in the Songhua Lake Area only 25 kilometers southeast of Jilin, the Songhua Hu Ski Resort (Songhua Hu Huaxue Chang) attracts beginner and intermediate skiers with slopes reaching 934 meters.  The resort also provides excellent cross-country trails. You can rent all equipment at the resort for a modest price. The ski season generally is best between December and February.   more >>

Not to be confused with Tian Chi near Urumqi, the deep blue Tian Chi (Tiān Chí, 天池, "Heavenly Lake") fills a volcanic crater not far from Jilin City atop Chángbái Shān (长白山). The mountain's best-known scenic spot, Tian Chi is a UNESCO World Natural Reserve site, and is popular with both Chinese and South Korean tourists. The ideal time to visit Tian Chi is during the height of summer, when fog is unlikely to mar the view of the pristine blue waters. Winter adds a beauty to the slopes around Tian Chi for visitors who can handle the extremely cold Jilin Province winter, though it can also make some routes to the lake impassable. As the lake is relatively remote, it's best to travel with another person or guide. Also, be extremely careful—the lake is split by the border with North Korea, which is not well marked, and in severa... more >>