Jilin Province shares a borderline spanning more than 1,400 kilometers with the Russian Federation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.Bordering on Russia in the east and facing the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, across the rivers of Yalu and Tumen in the southeast, Jilin Province is located in the center of Northeast China, with Liaoning Province to its south, Inner Mongolia on its west and Heilongjiang Province to the north. The name Jilin is the abbreviation of Jilinwula and its transliteration comes from Manchu language.
Facts of Jilin Province
English Name: Jilin
Location: Northeast China
Capital City: Changchun
Area: 187,400 sq. km. (72,356 sq. mi.)
Population: 27 million
Geography of Jilin
Jilin lies in the central part of northeastern China, bordering Russia and North Korea in the east and southeast respectively. Jilin has a total area of 190,000 square kilometers and a total population of 27.3 million. Its capital is Changchun, which lies 113 kilometers west of Jilin city. Jilin province is rich in natural mineral deposits with 136 different types of minerals, of which 70 have already been extracted. Jilin has abundance of Traditional Chinese medicine resources, with approximately 27,000 kinds of wild plants and 9,000 kinds of medicinal herbs. Also the province is rich in large reserves of oil, gas, coal, iron mine, nickel, molybdenum, talc, graphite, gypsum, cement rock, gold and silver; its reserves of oil shale are the largest in the country.
What to see in Jilin?
Changbaishan (Tall White Mountain) includes several highlights that will delight any visitor. There is the mountain itself, which is a nature preserve that has tigers, deer, black bears, leopards, and sable among the more than 200 varieties of wildlife that live in its original, undisturbed forests. Within the forests are innumerable hot springs and a more than 1,500 species of plants. Rare birds, such as the flying Dragon Bird, also make their home in this mountain forest. On the very top of the mountain is Tianchi (Heavenly Lake). The view is nothing short of miraculous and perhaps, as a reward for climbing up this volcanic cone, you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the lake's very own resident 'monster.' The mountain also includes a spectacular waterfall which is the source of the Song Hua River. The western side of the mountain range has three lakes: Songhua, Tai Lake, and Dongting Lake, as well as China's largest ice-skating training facility.
Pu Yi, the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, lived in Chang Chun, the capital city of Jilin, in an Imperial Palace of Manchu State for 14 years (1931 - 1945). This luxurious palace, which also was the administrative departments of the 'Puppet Manchurian Government' has hills, gardens, ponds, swimming pools, and various other forms of recreational facilities. The architecture and design of this 12-hectare (30-acre) palace is a worthy site to visit for its beauty and unique historical importance. Photographs of the emperor, his weddings, wives, parents, and English teacher are on display in the museum.
In Fu Yu County there is a stele monument called Deshengtuo. The stele was built in the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234 A.D.) and has a singular beauty. Made of green stone, the top has four dragons carved into it. The center part has 815 characters of poetry and praise on one side and the other side has double that amount of writing. At the base is a giant tortoise, whose body is also heavily inscribed, finishes the composition of this stele.
The Goguryeo sites and tombs found in Ji'an, Jilin, including Wandu, Gungnae Fortress, and the pyramidal General's Tomb, have been listed as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Baekdu Mountain, especially Heaven Lake on the border with North Korea, are popular tourist destinations due to their natural scenery. Ancient Tombs at Longtou Mountain, including the Mausoleum of Princess Zhenxiao, are royal tombs of the Balhae kingdom found in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture.
Jilin has held the Rime Ice and Snow Festival each year since 1991. With the theme of "Rime", Jilin Rime Ice and Snow Festival has become a unique festival in north China with special features.During each Rime Ice and Snow Festival, activities including ice lanterns, the Colorful Lantern Garden Party, the Floating of River Lanterns, a Fireworks Show and Barge Parade, large-scale economic and trade fairs, ice and snow sports, the Northeast Yangko Performance, culture festivals of the Manchu and Korean minorities, and the Kanto flavor food festival attract a great many tourists from all over the world.
When to visit Jilin ?
Located in Northeast China, Jilin has severe climate in winter. Among the attractions in Jilin Province, only the Changbai Mountains is recommended to visit in summer (June, July and August). Hence, the best time to visit Jilin Province is during the period from December to March in next year, in this period, visitors can enjoy the great happiness and magnificent scenery bringing by snow and ice.
The east Jilin province is near the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, so this part is very wet with plentiful rainfall. The west Jilin Province borders Inner Mongolia, influenced by typical continental climate, the weather in this part is dry with sand blowing in the wind. The coldest month is January; with the lowest temperature is about -18 °C (-4 °F). The hottest month is July with the highest temperature is about 20 °C (68 °F). The period with snowfall can last from October to April in next year.
How to get there?
Situated in Northeast China, Jilin Province can be reached by air, railway and highway; hence the transportation in Jilin Province is convenient.
By Air: There are two airports in Jilin Province:One in Changchun, the capital city of Jilin; another is in Yanji city.These two airports offer flights to dozens of big cities in China, like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Xi’an, Dalian, etc. Check the information for Changchun Flight Schedules and China Flights.
By Railway: The traffic of railway in Jilin is very convenient. Covered by 7 railroad lines, travelers can get most part of Jilin Province (Changchun City, Jilin City, Tonghua City and many counties), and Jilin Province is connected with cities in other provinces by railway, such as Qiqihaer, Daqing city, Harbin City in Heilongjiang Province and Shenyang City in Liaoning Province. Check the information for China trains.
By Highway： Centering Changchun City, most parts of Jilin Province are linked by highways. Hence, it is available for travelers to get most parts of the province by highway, even some small counties. What’s more, travelers also can take buses to get some cities in other provinces like Harbin, Heihe City in Heilongjiang Province, Shenyang and Dalian City in Liaoning Province and Ulanhot City in Inner Mongolia.