- Parks
- Architectural landmarks
- Museums
Changchun is a young and actively developing city in China. During its short history, it managed to undergo many changes, including the capture of other states by the troops. At the same time, Changchun has preserved its own traditions and various attractions. If you decide to visit this city of the Middle Kingdom, then you should know in advance the information about where to go in Changchun.
Parks
The garden and park architecture of Changchun deserves special attention, as it differs among other cities in China for its splendor. In addition, they are examples of Chinese traditional landscape design and are considered symbols of the city.
National Park, which is located in the central part of the city. This is the first park complex built in 1938. The best specialists in China worked on the project, which resulted in a park of amazing beauty. The territory of the park is about 80 hectares, divided into thematic zones. The largest area is occupied by dense vegetation, an abundance of rare trees and viewing platforms. The next area is devoted to water topics. Several artificial lakes, framed by a cobbled embankment, are created so that everyone can relax in silence. The middle of the largest lake is connected to the shore by a stone bridge, along which you can walk and take beautiful photos during the lotus bloom. Also in the park there are cafes, observation decks and a place for sports.
Nanhu Park is located in the southern part of Changchun and attracts thousands of tourists every year. The entrance to the park is absolutely free, which is a clear advantage. The landscape composition of Nanhu is concentrated around a large lake, which is home to many birds: swans, ducks, geese. Tourists are invited to rent catamarans and take a walk along the water surface, enjoying the surrounding views. After such a trip, you can relax in gazebos or pavilions built in a classic oriental style. Those who are tired of the city bustle and seek solitude in the bosom of nature come to Nanhu.
Jingue Forest Park is a favorite vacation spot for local residents. To get there, just take a taxi or ground transportation and drive to the Jinguetangong area. It is there that Jinguet is located, which was created at the initiative of the city authorities in 1996. Since then, the park has been expanded and improved several times. The pride of the park is a huge lake of natural origin. Many people come to see it every day, since the water area has an unusual ability to sparkle with multi-colored glare during twilight. The territory of the park is very landscaped: numerous benches, gazebos, water canals, fountains and unusual sculptures are located everywhere.
The World Sculpture Park is a renowned destination among art lovers. The project belongs to a group of young architects who implemented it in 2001. There are no more such parks in China, so the attraction is included in the list of the country's cultural heritage. The park opens its doors to thousands of visitors every day. The main purpose of the guide is to showcase the variety of sculptural compositions from around the world. The main collection includes over 400 exhibits brought from different countries. The park regularly hosts festivals and exhibitions aimed at spreading knowledge about sculpture as a subject of art.
Architectural landmarks
Among the architectural objects of Changchun, several of the most famous, worth visiting, can be noted. By visiting these architectural masterpieces, you will better get acquainted with the history of the city and feel its amazing atmosphere. Worth seeing in Changchun:
- The Banjuos Temple, which adorns the People's Square, blends harmoniously with the urban landscape. This Buddhist landmark was built in 1922, and its area is 14,000 square meters. The main function of the shrine is to preserve the traditions of Buddhism. A Buddhist association was established on the basis of the temple. The architectural ensemble of the temple is created by three arches that form the gate. In the courtyard there is a drum tower and a bell tower. Banjuos was built according to classical Buddhist canons and includes a sacrifice hall, Buddha hall, Three holiest halls, a sutra hall. An obelisk and two suburgans are installed near the eastern part of the temple, where the remains of the saints are kept. On the western side of Banjuos, outbuildings have been built, which house living quarters for monks and halls for meditation and fasting.
- People's Square is the pearl of Changchun, which forms its business and cultural center. The square is located at the intersection of Renmin Guangchang and Renmin streets. Until 1967, one of these streets was named after Stalin, but later it was renamed at the initiative of the local authorities. In the middle of the square, you can see a monument erected in 1944 in memory of the Russian soldiers who took part in the liberation of China from the Japanese invaders. Outwardly, the memorial looks like a long spire topped with a metal figure of a military aircraft. Every year on May 9, the Changchun authorities bring flowers to the monument as a sign of respect for Soviet soldiers. On national holidays, festivities and various festive events take place on the square.
- Emperor Pu Yi's palace is considered one of the most visited places in Changchun. The area of the palace is 135,000 square meters, which testifies to its scale. In the 20-30s of the 20th century, this building was the official residence of Emperor Pu I. The palace complex is formed by 10 structures, which were erected in different stylistic directions (Japanese, Chinese, Gothic). In addition to the main buildings, the complex includes an emperor's garden, a tennis court, several swimming pools, a dining room for the imperial family, galleries, pavilions, a bomb shelter and a hippodrome. The palace opened its doors to the public in 1985, three years after a major restoration. The hippodrome, rock garden and swimming pool were almost completely restored by Chinese and European craftsmen. In the palace itself, many wax figures appeared, demonstrating the everyday life of the emperor's family.
- Culture square, which can be found near the city center. The square is surrounded by buildings from the times of Japanese rule over the city. Among them, tourists especially often visit the building of the State Council, the chamber of military affairs. Also, various ministries were built near the square, so the landmark is often called "the area of the ministries of Manchuria." Until 1944, the territory of the square was used as a training base for training military parades. At the beginning of the 60s of the 20th century, the square became a favorite place for townspeople who still come here to stroll and watch the colorful performances that take place on weekends. Separately, it is worth noting the original sculptures scattered around the perimeter of the square. Among them, the most notable monument is the Bird of the Sun, symbolizing the new architectural trends of the 21st century.
Museums
Like any other city in China, Changchun has interesting museums that store rare collections from different eras. If you want to immerse yourself in the history of the city and province of Jilin, it is worth taking a tour of the Changchun museums!
The film town is an open-air museum established in 1985. The museum was built with the help of private investors who invested heavily in the project. The complex is located next to the local film studio, which has been filming films since the 50s of the 20th century.
The town is built on a thematic basis. Once here, you will have a guided tour of several zones: technical, ancient, modern. Each of them is a separate park, where there are many buildings and interactive installations that imitate different time periods. A visit to this museum allows you to feel like a movie hero. In addition, you can take photos of famous movie buildings and buy souvenirs.
The Jilin Provincial Museum is considered the main one in Changchun, as its territory contains the most valuable objects of cultural and historical heritage of the province. The museum was founded in 2003. For this purpose, a new building was built according to a modern project. The external facade of the museum is distinguished by its laconicism and austerity. The interior is also discreet. The spacious halls house collections from various periods of Jilin's history. A special place among the exhibits is occupied by unique calligraphic scrolls, jewelry made of gold, silver and other precious metals. Tourists are offered audiovisual tours in English and Chinese. In 2010, a scientific center was created on the basis of the museum, where students study, and innovative developments are introduced by scientists.
The Geological Museum is famous throughout the province due to the fact that it is the largest museum of its kind in the country. The exposition comprises more than 20 collections dedicated to geological phenomena and finds. The pride of the museum is the collection of dinosaur skeletons found in the province in different years. The museum also organizes sightseeing, educational and educational excursions for children. You can get to the museum on any day except national holidays and Sundays. Moreover, the entrance to the museum is absolutely free.
