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Jilin guides

Population: 4,514,000

Area: 27,120 square kilometers (10,471 square miles)

Nationalities: Han, Man

Administrative Division: 4 districts (Chuanying, Longtan, Changyi, Fengman); 1 county (Yongji); 4 county-level cities (Panshi, Jiaohe, Huadian, Shulan)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0432-4682561
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China: 0432-4852731

Location: Situated in the hinterland of Northeastern China, Jilin City is in the transition area between Changbai Mountains and Songnen Plain. It ranks the second largest city of Jinlin Province only to Changchun and it is the only city in China sharing the same name with the province. The city is bounded on the north by Heilongjiang Province, and neighbors the capital city, Changchun, in the west.

History: Jinlin is short for Jilin Wula, a Manchu word meaning 'a city along the river'. Before the Qin Dynasty (221BC-206BC), the ancestors of the Man ethnic minority lived there. It was brought into the territory of the Jurchen Jin Dynasty in 1115. In late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), it became a part of the Manchu Khanate (Kingdom), which later took over as the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in 1644.

Physical Features: The beautiful Songhua River twines through the city, from the Changbai Mountains in the southeast. The terrain gradually slopes downwards from the southeast to the northwest, creating and dividing the landform tapestry of Jilin into mountain area, hilly area, lakes in valleys and valley plains.

Climatic Features: Jinlin belongs to a temperate continental monsoon climate. Located at a high altitude, the city has four distinct seasons, among which the winter is especially long and chilly. Due to the terrain, the temperature drops accordingly with increasing heights from the northwest to the southeast. January is the coldest month of a year with an average temperature of -18C (-0.4F).

When to Go: Jilin is a tourist destination favorable at any seasons. January to February is the coldest period, but the most beautiful season for the snowscape and rimed trees.

Local Highlights: Jilin Rime Ice and Snow Festival (between December and February)

Special Local Products: ginseng, marten, pilose antler, forest frog ovary oil; root carving of tidal wood in Songhua Lake, bark paintings

Scenic Spots:
Songhua Lake: This is a long narrow lake formed by the dam construction on the Songhua River. The lake is surrounded by mountains and dotted with islets in the water. The beauty of the scenic area consists in its vast lake, verdant forest and green mountains. It is definitely a perfect summer resort.

Beidahu Skiing Field: Located in the Songhua Lake area, this skiing field is regarded as the largest and the most advanced skiing ground with the most advantageous natural conditions for skiing. Not only a national scenic area, it is also an important arena and coaching grid for winter games.

Jilin Aerolite: The meteorite shower which occurred during 1976 in Jilin is the most magnificent in the whole world. The 1,770 kilogram aerolite displayed in the exhibition hall of the meteorite shower in Jilin is the largest aerolite in the world.

Tourist Tips:
1. Some people praise the Songjiang Road (Middle) as beautiful as the Shanghai Bund. It is the best location to appreciate the nightscape of Jilin City, and an excellent place to admire the rimed trees along the Songhua River.
2. There are special buses in front of the Jilin Train Station running to the Songhua Lake every 40 minutes. The external transportation of Jilin is convenient. It is 130 kilometers (81 miles) away from Changchun and dozens of buses depart every day to Changchun within every two hours.

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