Located in the central part of northeast China, and dubbed the city of cars, forests, films, science and culture, Changchun is the area's transportation hub, with rail, road and air routes linking it to the rest of China and the world. The city is also an educational and technological research centre for northeast China. It has a number of research institutions and universities. It has many large enterprises, including the First Automotive Work and Changchun Bus Works, which are important players in their industries.

The Imperial Palace Museum of the Bogus "Manchuguo"

Located in Changchun, the palace was the residence of China's last emperor, Aisin-gioro Puyi and his four wives from 1932 to 1945, when he acted as the emperor of the puppet state "Manchuguo," established by Japan in Northeast China. In 1932, the Japanese Army, which then occupied the whole of Northeast China, founded a puppet regime in the former Jilin-Heilongjiang Exclusive Salt Transportation Bureau, (the present site of the palace) to consolidate its rule over the region. Puyi, the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) dethroned in 1912, became the puppet emperor of the regime with the help of Japanese imperialists.

Encompassing 137,000 square metres, the palace was composed of 10 buildings of diversified architectural styles such as Gothic, Japanese and traditional Chinese. As the main buildings used for dealing with official affairs, an imperial garden, a tennis court, a swimming pool, dining halls as well as painting and calligraphy halls were all used at the time. During his 14 years of puppet life, Puyi signed thousands of laws and decrees in the palace in accordance with the orders of the Japanese Army. The Imperial Palace provides a true reflection of Japan's invasion of China and its enslavement of the Chinese people. Through revealing the complicated life of Puyi, the visitor can get a glimpse of the disgraceful and tragic colonial life of Northeastern people in that period. The palace has been listed as a famous historic relic and patriotic education base to learn about the past. Since its opening to the public in 1984, it has hosted over 4 million tourists. A total of 600 million yuan (US $ 72.3 million) earmarked to the project. After the renovation of the palace it has become a showcase and research centre on the history and culture of the puppet state. In addition, the race course, swimming pool and rockery that originally existed in the palace have been rebuilt in line with Manchurian flavour to attract more tourists.

Jilin

Its industries include chemicals, electrical power, metallurgy, paper making, and sugar refinery. Chemical industry is most famous in the city, and the city has been dubbed "the city of chemical industry." Of interest to visitors are North Mountain and Dragon Pool Mountain.

Songhua Lake

Spreading out in the middle part, southeast of Jilin City and among the Yongji City, ]iaohe City and Huadian County, Songhua Lake encompasses 425 square kilometres. The surface of the lake is at an elevation of 266 . 5 metres, with the deepest of the lake being 77.5 metres. It has water storage of 10.8 billion cubic metres. It is the man-made lake on the upper reaches of Songhua River. At the estuary of the lake is the Fengman Hydropower Station. The scenery of the lake is fantastic and charming, famous for soft rime (or hoar frost). Points of interest include Aohua Platform , Stone Dragon Wall (Screen), Camel Summit , Five-Tiger Isle , and Reclining (or Recumbent) Dragon Pool. It is a key national scenic spot.