Travel Destinations: Changchun, China

One the Japanese capital of Manchukuo between 1933 and 1945, Changchun is an industrial city today and known for its car manufacturing business. The first car manufacturing plant opened up in the 1950s with the help of the Soviets; today both Volkswagen and Toyota have factories here.

There are some wonderful cultural attractions here in Changchun. The Puppet Emperor’s Palace and Exhibition Hall (Wei Huanggong) is the main tourist destination here for international travellers. This was the former residence for the last Qing dynasty emperor, Henry Puyi. In 1987, Bernardo Bertolucci based his movie The Last Emperor on his sad tale.

When he was three years old, Puyi became the 10th Qing emperor. In 1911 the Chinese Revolution ended his rule and he lived in exile until 1932 when the Japanese installed him here as the ‘puppet emperor’ of Manchukuo.

A lot of the rooms, including his bedroom, study and temple, his wife’s quarters, his lover’s quarters and his offices, have all been painstakingly restored down to the last detail. You can even see his toilet from where it is said he agreed all governmental decisions. You reach here by taking either the number 10 or 18 bus from the train station.

Changchun is home to some wonderful restaurants; you can sample some fantastic dongbei (north-eastern) dishes from the many inexpensive restaurants that are grouped together along Guilin Lu and Xikang Lu. A good place to eat is at Songji Zhoupu, where the speciality is porridge served with breads and pickled vegetables. It is very cheap, which is great if you are travelling on a budget. If you are craving something sweet and more western, head to French Bakery; this coffee shop will serve you some amazing croissants, pastas and sandwiches.

There are some good, comfortable hotels in Changchun. The Shangri-La Hotel (Xiangeilila Dajiudian) is the most luxurious hotel in the city. The staff members all speak English and there is internet access in the beautiful gold and marble lobby.

For something in the midrange price guide, Chunyi Binguan is a good choice. It is simply charming with its woodwork and stained glass features. It was built in 1909 for the elite Japanese and Manchurian officials and now caters to everyone.
If you are looking for something on a tight budget, the Elan Fashion Inn (Milan Huashishang Jiudian) is bright and colourful whilst still being comfortable.

To get here, you can get a bus from the airport 20km east of the city. There are also regular trains from Haerbin, Jilin City, Beijing, Dalian and other cities.