Beautiful Changchun/Jilin
Changchun is the capital city of Jilin
Province, which is situated in the
central section of
China's northeast region. It is
bordered by Heilongjiang
on the north, Liaoning on the
south, Inner Mongolia on the west and
North Korea on the east. This
location gives Jilin
Province
favorable temperate climate.
Jilin
has many natural and historical attractions to entertain its
residents and visitors.
1.
Changbai Mountain
Inactive
volcanoes, crystal-clear lakes and looming trees –the unspoiled
natural beauty of
Changbai Mountain rewards the intrepid travelers
who make their way out to this northern diamond. For nature buffs, Changbai Mountain
is a piece of heaven, and it certainly lives up to its name, which
means "Ever-White Mountain." Budding nature scientists will
be in a proverbial paradise as they explore the explosion of animal,
insect and plant life on this dormant volcano, which is also China's largest
nature reserve. This 210,000ha
of dense virgin forest lies on the border of
China's
Jilin Province and the Democratic People's
Republic of Korea (DPRK). Created in 1961, the nature reserve is
home to one of the most diverse mountain-forest ecosystems in
Asia. Evergreen species like Korean pines and Japanese
yews share the slopes with Mongolian oaks, dwarf birch and other
deciduous trees.
The
variation in plant and animal life is due to the changing altitudes.
From the foot of the mountain to 1,000m
re mixed coniferous and broad-leaved trees. Hardy and valuable
coniferous trees like dragon spruce and fir can be found from 1,000m to
1,800m. Above 2,000m, only lichen
survives. Within this treasure trove thrives over 300 medicinal
plants such as the winter daphne and wild ginseng.
Changbai
Shan Nature Reserve,
designated by UNESCO as a nature reserve in 1979, is a vital
wildlife zone. Though predators such as Siberian tigers, leopards,
lynx, and brown bears prowl the forests, there's no reason to shun
the mountain. The lucky hiker might even catch a glimpse of elusive
animals such as the shy deer, gorals, wild pigs, otters and dozens
of other mammal species. Rare, endangered birds like hazel grouse,
black storks, mandarin ducks and oriental storks also abound.
Rough hiking trails aside, there are guaranteed views of babbling
brooks, waterfalls and thermal springs.
Sitting
pretty atop Changbai Shan is the stunning Lake
of Heaven.
This feather on Changbai Shan's cap was formed centuries ago by
volcanic eruptions. Over time, water filled the vent and eventually
formed an oval lake about 13km in circumference and 200mto
300mdeep. 16 mountain peaks surround the Lake of Heaven
like sentries guarding the watery gates of heaven. No birds, animals
or flora distract one from its tranquil beauty. The highest peak,
White Cloud Peak,
soars some 2,744m above sea level. When the fair
skies fill with fluffy clouds, their reflection in the crystal-clear
water, framed by jagged peaks, makes a heavenly composition.
Rough hiking trails aside, there are guaranteed views of babbling
brooks, waterfalls and thermal springs. Just beside the Lake of Heaven
is
Changbai
Lake, also known as
Little Lake of Heaven. Water from the Lake
of Heaven careens into a
roaring waterfall more than 60mhigh, nourishing the Yalu and Songhua
rivers, two of northeast
China's most important rivers.
Naturally, Changbai Shan has its fair share of fables. One myth is
about the origins of the Manchu ethnic group, who are said to have
sprung from the waters of the
Lake
of Heaven.
Three celestial maidens visited the lake for a quick, albeit chilly
dip. A magic magpie dropped an enchanted berry and one of the
heavenly ladies picked it up, and when she ate the berry, she became
pregnant. The baby boy she bore founded the warrior Manchu dynasty.
From1677, this region was considered by the Manchu as their sacred
homeland. No one was allowed to enter and log trees for over 200
years. Today, Manchus share the intoxicating Changbai Shan region
with a large ethnic Korean population. By dress, the latter are
indistinguishable from their Manchu counterparts, but they still
retain some of their traditional practices and festivals. Friendly
and hospitable, most ethnic Korean locals live north and northeast
of
Erdao
Baihe
Town in the area known as the Korean
Autonomous
Prefecture.
2.
Songhuahu
Songhuahu, 24km
east of the city center, is a popular tourist magnet out of town.
This is an attractive location, the long narrow lake is surrounded
by forests and pretty hills and it is easy to get lost, boating on
the lake or strolling along leaf strewn paths.
Looked at from above, the lake resembles a string of shining pearls
set in-between heavily vegetated mountain peaks. Covering a total
area of 700 square meters, Songhuahu boasts eight scenic spots
within the lake area, ranging from islets, peaks and ponds to
attractive hilly slopes. It is possible to pay a visit to this area
in all four seasons - outings in spring when the lake is at its
highest, boating and bathing in summer, angling in the autumn and of
course, skiing in winter. Boating on the lake is quite inexpensive
at about RMB5 an hour.
3.
Jingyue Lake
Jingyue
Lake National Forest Park covers 200 square kilometers, with over
4.3 square kilometers water surface and 80 square kilometers planted
forest. Forestation coverage in the park is 58.6%. The lake is
falcate, so it gets the mane. It is famous for its picturesque
scenery, reputed as the sister of Sun-moon Lake of Taiwan Province. A vast sea of lush
trees and chains of magnificent mountains form a rounded ecosystem
with over 30 tree species. The whole scenic area consists of Jingyue
Lake National Key Scenic Spot,
Jingyue
Lake National
Park and Jingyue Lake Tourist and
Vocation Area.
Christmas
Paradise is a park that reverberates with European flavor. It is the
second park with “the homeland of father Christmas” as its theme in
the world. Special-styled western architectures, childish cartoon
characters and riotous atmosphere make you feel to go into a
fairyland.
4.
Changchun Movie Wonderland
Changchun Movie Wonderland is China’s
first film production industry and the combination of film tourism
theme park, called the East Hollywood,
Universal Studios Hollywood is the reference and the essence of the
Disney amusement park built with.
Changchun
Movie Wonderland clear theme prominent film and television culture,
it has a rich film culture and cultural implications, to film and
television programming as a carrier to reveal the mystery of film,
allowing viewers to fully enjoy the excellent Chinese film art and
culture bring people high-grade spiritual pleasure. Changchun Movie
Wonderland is not only a video tour of the resort, will become a
long shadow factory new site north of Changchun as a diamond card.
The main city long shadow century landscape: 4D effects
films, three dimensional water curtain film, laser film suspension,
Dome films, 3D giant screen movie, eagle mountain, the universe
forest, jungle castle, Yang Lu, Century Pearl, Cube Star City,
suspended Palace, Dragon Palace, Crystal Mountain, the hero show
field, wonderful palaces, the Galaxy Palace, naughty fort, a
mysterious old trees, Happy Island
