Have you ever watched the Last Emperor directed by Bernardo Bertolucci? If you have, you will recognize some of the scenes in Changchun. The movie tells a story about the life of Puyi, the last Emperor of China who lived in Changchun, the capital of Jilin province in the center of the northeast plain. The Chinese Film Industry is also synonymous with Changchun in the eyes of many Chinese, who refer to it as “the City of Film”.

While summer in Changchun is pleasant (and the name Chang chun means Long Spring), the winters are very cold - but there if you like skiing, not to far from Changchun is a thriving winter sports industry Changchun has a very interesting history. As the capital city of Manchukuo, a Japan- controlled puppet state in Manchuria, Changchun (previously named as Xinjing during Japanese control) housed the Last Emperor, Pu Yi, as its puppet figurehead for a short time. The Japanese even built a version of the Forbidden City here - this is now a tourist attraction. Changchun has wide, tree-lined boulevards, built by the Japanese, and these lend the city an attractive, international ambience.

Changchun has a large Korean population, and the area around Guilin Lu has become a great place to buy Korean knick-knacks and food. Much of the food in Changchun is a fusion of Korean and Chinese northeast food. Dishes such as Changbai Zhen Yan are available, though this one in particular (made from grilled bear paw, frog eggs, and grilled deer tendon, ginseng and snow toad) may not quite hit the spot for many. However, you can always challenge yourself and try something completely new!

Whatever you're in Jilin for - skiing, or the more serious business of the auto industry and all its component parts - wrap up warm, and enjoy an area with much natural beauty.

Housing in Changchun

Schooling in Changchun

Medical Facilities in Changchun