Jilin Province is situated in the central section of Chinas northeast region. It is bordered by Heilongjiang on the north, Liaoniang to the south, Inner Mongolia on the west and North Korea on the east. This location gives Jilin Province its favorable temperate climate, which includes a lengthy winter with snow that can start as early as October and last until April. Despite the winter cold, people flock to this area for the Ice Lantern Festival and the winter sports. Jilin is known as an area for winter sports and has produced some of the best ski resorts in China. However, Jilin has many other natural and historical attractions to entertain its residents and visitors.
What to see
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 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 Chinas largest ice-skating training facility.
Another nature preserve in Jilin is Xianghai in Tongyu County. This preserve contains more than 100 swamps of varying sizes, 170 species of birds including many that are rarely seen elsewhere, a wide variety of fish, more than 250 different herbal plants, and a wide variety trees.
Interesting historical landmarks are also available in Jilin Province. One of the most famous is the Generals Tomb. This granite pyramid was built in the 4th Century for the king of the Gaogouli nation. Its seven stories sit on a base that covers almost 1,000 square meters (about 10,746 square feet). The stones of this pyramid each weigh several tons. The construction of this pyramid was an ominous undertaking for its time. Hiding within the massive stone structure, are a secret passage and the coffin of the king.
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 a 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.
Pu Yi, the last Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, lived in Chang Chun, the capital city of Jilin, in an Imperial Palace 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.
Jilin has so much to offer in natural beauty and resources - fertile land, dense forests, and rich mineral deposits, countless plants and herbs, a wide variety of birds and animals, and vast grasslands. Did you know that in the city of Jilin there is a Meteorite Shower Museum that houses the largest piece of a meteorite found anywhere in the world? Jilin truly has a diversity of activities and sights. |
