Location: Jilin
Top Things to do in Jilin
10 Things to Do in Jilin That You Shouldn't Miss
Jilin, formerly romanized as Kirin is one of the three provinces of Northeast China. Jilin borders North Korea and Russia to the east, Heilongjiang to the north, Liaoning to the south, and Inner Mongolia to the west.
Restaurants in Jilin
1. Wusong Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
Reviewed By dtobe - Cologne, Germany
Wusong Island is a place in the countryside among Manchu villages about 50 km outside Jilin City. It is becoming increasingly known for the most beautiful rime (雾凇) in the Jilin area. Mist from the Songhua river freezes on trees and shrubs on cold nights and forms spectacular displays of ice crystals. It's a very worthwhile excursion from Jilin City, although the place is not so easy to reach.
Locals told us the phenomenon usually occurs between December and February. Of course, even then it depends strongly on the weather. To see the rime you'll have to be there very early - between 6 and 9 am at the latest. The most comfortable way is to stay at a countryside inn in Hantun Village (韩屯村) nearby (ask for a traditional kang style bed for a special experience). Then get up at 5:30 am, have breakfast and take the ferry to the island just before sunrise. Having said that, I also found it worth sticking around a bit later. Many tourists had left after an hour or two, so I managed to shoot my favourite photos in the time between 8:30 and 9:30, just before the ice crystals started to disintegrate.
Be aware that the island is used for growing crops in the summer and only a handful of people live there. Except for a woman selling hot drinks in a shack by the ferry there are no facilities. It's essential to dress warm and to wear boots because even without wind the temperature will be some -20 degrees with high snow.
To get to Hantun Village you could drive or take a taxi. We managed to haggle our cab driver down to 150 RMB to take us there. That seems to be the going rate at the moment. If you drive there yourself be aware that the road turns into a dirt track without any roadside lamps before reaching the village. More importantly, snow and mist freeze on the road and the resulting ice is extremely dangerous. We almost had an accident - even with our experienced driver.
2. Jilin Beishan Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 43 reviews
Reviewed By ffrige - Shanghai
We visited Jilin during winter and had a whole day of fun activities at Beishan park. You can ice skate, ice slide on tubes, ride dog-sleds or just walk off the trails in the woods covered with snow. The prices for the attractions are very reasonable, much cheaper than Harbin, although not as sophisticated. The tube slides are by far the best fun (60RMB for two hours). Ice skating is only 20RMB with no time limit! Make sure you wear enough clothes, as it gets very cold!
3. Songhua Lake
Overall Ratings
4 based on 49 reviews
Reviewed By MonsterGuest
A couple of things we did find frustrating, but overall a good experience though and could easily be put right.
!, signage on arrival for parking and main entrance to the ski ticket sales area and rental area, needs to be improved a lot.
2. A long queue at 4 windows for purchasing lift passes, unsure why but 2 of the 4 windows closed, we had been in the queue for 15 minutes and now had to join another queue at the back! Surely ticket windows should be kept open when there is demand or backlog.
3. we wanted to hire a large locker but were told they did not have any, so we rented 2 small lockers but our ski bag would not fit. I asked the service counter to store it behind the counter who then directed me to 1 floor up where they have big lockers.
Now finally to Ski, the trail map is not the clearest so a little experimenting with a couple of different lifts in order to find the most suitable for our level.
The lifts were in excellent condition, looked very new, were spotlessly clean ran quickly. The Gondola offered a halfway stop which seemed popular. We headed to the top where we found a cafe / restaurant. Here do not order coffee it is an expensive disappointment. The Jianbing were good, though lacking suasage and probably double the normal price but were fresh, hot and tasty.
Once on the hill, the runs are well marked and generally with good snow cover except in a couple of hig h usage areas, but this happens everywhere. We enjoyed the skiing and a reasonable selection of runs are available for just about every level..
If you wish to compare with other known resorts in Europe or North America, don't, but as a place for a good weekend it is great.
4. Jilin Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
4 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By MattwalesNorthWales - Chengdu, China
Standing out from the rest of the buildings along the waterfront in Jilin City is this French designed catholic church. It is lit up really effectively at night and even in the daylight is a building of some character if not of any great age. However in February this attraction does not appear to be open for business.
5. Songhuahu Ski Field
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By G039260 - Shenyang, China
I live in Shenyang which is about 2 hours by fast train from this little gem. We visited in the summer to see what it's like for winter skiing. Wierd right? The prices during summer are greatly reduced and they will bargain with you. We got a two bedroom two bathroom apartment/suite for 440/night. (RMB) Great deal and very comfortable beds. The only downside is that right now their summer clientelle are almost non existent so there's not a ton to do in the summer and the food choices are basically a Chinese restaurant with high prices and small portions or an Italian Cafe with horrible Chinese pizza. (Fruit Pizza and Hawaiian) We will definitely be back this winter for some skiing and fun. VERY VERY Family friendly place.
6. Beidahu Ski Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9 reviews
Reviewed By Yan C - Hong Kong, China
The ski field is made up of mainly forest trails, which are wide enough to facilitate the not so skilful. It has about 20 runs, about half of which are for the intermediates. Also adequate runs for the beginners. There are two lengthy "moving carpets " to help the learners to get uphill. We were there in early March. The temperatures were still quite low - must be about -8 to -10C even at day time. The snow surface was good, not icy and easy to ski. It was sunny throughout our stay. Huge ice-making machines were deployed to supply the snow. Helmets must be worn during skiing. Not congested and usually no lines at the ski lifts. Overall, a good, modern and properly managed ski field for all levels of skiers.
There is a gondola to go to the top of the mountain for those who do not ski and just want to sightsee. There is also a "Sky Jump" just about 15 minutes ' walk away, which one can climb up. But regrettably, good scenery is not exactly a strong point here.
The problem is the location does not have adequate ancillary facilities. Yes, there is a ski hall to handle the usual rentals. But, visitors, especially upmarket skiers, require better facilities. There should be more and better restaurants, cafe shops, snack stops, rest houses, souvenir and ski equipment shops, and nightlife facilities, such as bars, hot tubs, etc. Until then, this is not an attractive resort. The opening of Club Med in Nov 2016 does not help as the facilities there are exclusive for its clients. Perhaps the opening of Holiday Inn later in the year would help.
7. Meteorite Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
Reviewed By MattwalesNorthWales - Chengdu, China
The exhibits in the entrance hall are free and well presented with bilingual signs. The exhibition on aluminium artwork was particularly good. The main event however is the meteorite hall where you are shown the history of the largest modern meteorite shower to hit China. The video show is very good and does not need an English soundtrack as the show is self explanatory. The actual largest meteor is on display, and for an additional fee you can touch the second largest one and make a wish. The guide spoke good English and it was interesting, just a little short for the 80RMB entrance fee.
8. Linjiangmen Bridge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Zachary H - Laramie, Wyoming
A landmark of Jilin that is certainly worth a few photos! The bridge connects main Jilin to Jiangnan and was built in 1994. Certainly the most interesting of the three Bridges in Jilin.
9. Longtan Mountain
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By MattwalesNorthWales - Chengdu, China
A new gateway greets visitors to this mountain park. New stairs lead you gently up the mountain, past the broken hill monument where Emperor Qianlong ordered the mountain to be split to stop the dragon's pulse, to the Phoenix and Dragon Temple area. These temples are shared between Buddhist and Dao philosophies and are still active. Climb further through woodlands that are alive with bird life to the viewpoint at the top, here you get an unparalleled view of Jilin City and the Songhua River. Well worth the climb, thoroughly recommended.
10. Songjiang Middle Road Scienc Spot
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By ManfreddNg - Malaysia
We were in this river front of Jilin during the cold wintery December .Everything is white and frozen at minus 20 Celsius .Except for the water flowing in Songhua River.
The evaporation and vapour crystallisation give a spectacular scene at the river bank.The branches of willow and pine trees are filled with needle hoarfrost. A phenomenon of tree crystals unique in Jilin City.
Watch these beautiful pictures. .
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