Is Jilin Worth Visiting?
This article is specially produced by Douyin.
Among the three northeastern provinces, Jilin is undoubtedly the most "low-key" one.
Although its Changbai Mountain boasts the highest peak in the northeast, its Songhua River is one of China's seven major rivers, and its FAW has given birth to the household names Hongqi and Jiefang trucks.
However, compared to these well-known labels, Jilin itself remains somewhat mysterious and understated, appearing rather indifferent in terms of search trends.
Search index of the three northeastern provinces from 2015-2019, with the blue line representing Jilin Province. In this article, "Jilin" generally refers to Jilin Province rather than Jilin City.
But is it truly unremarkable?
Geographically, Jilin features a diverse landscape of mountains, hills, and plains. At the same time, dense waterways crisscross the region, giving rise to lakes, wetlands, and marshes. It seems to possess all the conditions for stunning scenery—so is Jilin secretly hiding breathtaking views unknown to outsiders?
Today, let’s explore Jilin and see if this mysterious and low-key province is worth a visit.
In Jilin, one should witness the sprawling volcanoes.
Over the ages, intense tectonic movements fractured the earth, allowing magma to seep slowly or erupt violently across Jilin, forming scattered volcanoes of all sizes.
Among them, the Longgang Volcanic Group is renowned for its picturesque scenery, where volcanic lakes resemble blue gems embedded in emerald forests.
But when it comes to towering peaks and famous names, none surpass Changbai Mountain, stretching across southeastern Jilin and standing guard on the China-North Korea border.
As early as 25 million years ago, volcanic activity began here. Through multiple eruptions, cooled magma turned to rock, and with the uplift of new tectonic movements, this majestic mountain range was formed. Its main peak is named Changbai ("Ever-White") Mountain due to its snow-capped summit.
The range is dotted with towering peaks, among which the Sixteen Peaks of Changbai are the most famous—some like shy maidens veiled in mist, others like eagles gripping prey with fierce strength.
These peaks, in all their varied forms, encircle a single lake: the legendary Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) of Changbai Mountain.
Tianchi Volcano experienced multiple eruptions, expanding its crater and allowing snowmelt and rainwater to accumulate, eventually forming the highest and deepest volcanic lake in the northeast.
However, catching a glimpse of Tianchi is no easy feat.
The road to Tianchi is extremely steep, forcing the highway to wind upward with 129 bends over just 10.2 kilometers—a daunting ascent. Additionally, Tianchi is shrouded in fog or rain for over 250 days a year, leaving many visitors disappointed.
If you see Tianchi on your first try, consider yourself incredibly lucky.
But the volcano’s creations go even further. Through weathering, volcanic rocks and ash from different eruptions gradually formed over 10,000 square kilometers of fertile land. Meanwhile, the towering mountains and converging air currents result in annual precipitation exceeding 1,300 mm in some areas.
Abundant rainfall has given the Changbai Mountains a forest coverage rate of 91%, while its 2,000-meter vertical elevation gradient encompasses nearly all typical vegetation types from temperate to frigid zones.
Statistics show that over 2,000 plant species thrive here, including precious varieties like Korean pine and Changbai pine, renowned medicinal herbs such as ginseng, and wild delicacies like hazel mushrooms.
The name "Jilin" itself signifies a land where forests reach their pinnacle.
Data on the diversity of红叶森林 (red-leaf forest) plant species in the Changbai Mountains is sourced from *Jilin Provincial Annals: Physical Geography*.
Within these dense forests, more than 1,000 animal species flourish, including first-class protected species like the Siberian tiger, sika deer, and sable, which find sanctuary here.
Each spring, as ice and snow begin to melt, flowers bloom across the snowy landscape beneath Changbai Mountain, heralding the arrival of spring.
When summer arrives, the long-frozen Heaven Lake thaws into a mirror-like surface, flawlessly reflecting the sky without a ripple.
Autumn winds transform the once-lush forests of Changbai into a golden spectacle, astonishing all who behold it.
Winter snows return, cloaking the land in white; even the evergreen mountains "turn gray" under the weight of snow.
"Everlasting love, until white-haired"—Changbai Mountain's romance endures. Across its vibrant seasons, it hosts a feast for the mountains and a paradise for wildlife, yet its gifts to Jilin extend far beyond.
The waters it nurtures will nourish even vaster lands, shaping a more beautiful Jilin.
Thus, a visit to Jilin must include its winding rivers.
Meltwater and rainfall from Changbai Mountain converge to form the headwaters of three great rivers.
The Tumen and Yalu Rivers originate from its eastern and southern slopes—the former flowing east into the Sea of Japan, the latter west to the Yellow Sea, demarcating borders between China, North Korea, and Russia.
Timber rafting on the Yalu River. The densely forested banks of the Yalu allow upstream residents to float harvested timber downstream as a livelihood.
Yet, as the song goes, "My home is in the northeast, on the Songhua River." When it comes to Jilin's mother river, none compares to the Songhua.
In the Manchu language, the Songhua River is both the "White River" and the "Heavenly River," bearing a divine mandate to nourish all life. Its basin covers 70% of Jilin's land, sustaining generations of its people.
Its source is a small gap on Heaven Lake's northern edge, where water cascades down, culminating in the 68-meter-tall Changbai Waterfall—a majestic sight. Legend holds that following this river leads from earth to heaven, earning it the title "River to the Sky."
As it carves through eastern Jilin's mountains, its gentle force splits rigid rock, forming intricate, serene gorges.
Upon reaching the central-western basin, it merges with the Nen River (originating in the Greater Khingan Range), depositing silt in the ancient Songliao Lake to create today's vast Songnen Plain.
The vanished great lake left behind numerous lakes of varying sizes on the plain, including Chagan Lake, the largest natural lake in Jilin Province. Due to the gentle terrain and meandering rivers, water spreads freely, creating dense clusters of lakes, wetlands, and marshes.
Beyond the lakes, the plains are covered with lush meadows. The cold and prolonged winters often prevent complete decomposition of plants, leading to layers of accumulated organic matter mixed with soil, forming fertile black earth.
Additionally, along with the Liao River in the southwest and the Suifen River in the northeast, they form the five major water systems of Jilin Province. A network of over 1,600 rivers nourishes this land.
Map of Jilin Province's river basins. The river count above only includes those with a basin area exceeding 20 square kilometers. Data sourced from "Jilin Provincial Chronicles: Natural Geography."
Thus, the mountains gave birth to ceaseless rivers, and the rivers shaped the diverse land. Jilin now awaits the arrival of humanity.
Therefore, when visiting Jilin, one should also explore its rich cultural landscapes.
In modern-day Jilin, the western cities of Baicheng and Songyuan are home to Mongolians and Xibes; the eastern Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Jilin, and Baishan host thriving Korean communities; while the central region is primarily inhabited by Manchus and Hui people.
Over the centuries, countless Han Chinese have ventured beyond the Shanhai Pass into Jilin.
Thus, Han, Korean, Manchu, Hui, Mongolian, Xibe, and other ethnic groups have blended their customs and cultures here.
Here, delicious cuisines collide.
Korean cold noodles, with their sweet-and-sour chewiness and silky texture, are served with over a dozen accompaniments like fruit, eggs, braised beef, and cucumber, all chilled with ice—a single bite cools the entire body.
The Manchu delicacy sachima, golden and coated in sugary silk, is soft and sweet, mixed with raisins, hawthorns, and red dates. Meanwhile, the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast stands as the pinnacle of Chinese culinary history.
Beyond these, iconic Northeastern dishes like snow coat red bean pastry, pork stew with pickled cabbage, pork and vermicelli stew, and chicken and mushroom stew can be enjoyed here in their most authentic forms.
Here, unique folk traditions converge and unfold.
Koreans craft simple yet joyful seesaws and swings for play; Mongolians wrestle and race horses on the grasslands with boundless passion.
The Manchu qipao, after refinement, once led modern Chinese fashion trends. Korean women, dressed in long skirts, dance gracefully across Jilin's land with laughter and cheer.
But this is not all of Jilin.
It is also a treasure trove of nature.
The black earth yields endless fertile fields; lakes teem with plump fish and shrimp; beneath the ground lie abundant oil and gas reserves; deep in the forests hide rare treasures like ginseng and precious mushrooms.
It also boasts advanced industries and a thriving culture.
One after another, cars and high-speed rail carriages roll off the production lines at companies like FAW and CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, destined for all corners of the country. Dams rise along the Songhua River, harnessing its flow to generate electricity and creating artificial lakes such as Songhua Lake and Jingyuetan. Films are crafted here too, with Changchun Film Studio pioneering the cinematic era of New China.
This is also a joyful home of ice and snow.
Snowflakes drift, mist veils the frigid river, and icy winds nip at cheeks. In the haze of drowsiness, frost-covered trees emerge silently, shrouded in clouds—a scene straight out of a fairy tale.
Rivers freeze solid. The once-flowing Songhua River turns into a sheet of ice, yet the road remains, with vehicles speeding eagerly toward home.
Gliding down towering snow slopes, just you and your board, the wind whistling past your ears—for those fleeting seconds, the world narrows to you and the path ahead.
After the thrill, biting into an ice pop, stepping into a roadside barbecue joint. A stove is lit, drinks are poured, and toasts are raised with unbridled enthusiasm—this is the joyous life of Jilin’s people.
They’re humorous too. On Douyin, the Siping Public Security Bureau (@SipingPolice) uses Northeastern-style comedy to educate the public about the law.
They document with heart. For three years, high school teacher @YouthRecorderWangJue has used Douyin to capture the youthful memories of his students.
They’re passionate about poverty alleviation.扶贫达人@ChenTaichunYanxuan helps boost sales of agricultural products from impoverished villages across Jilin through Douyin livestreams.
They love life, their city, and this land where mountains and rivers converge, where ice and snow bloom.
It’s these ordinary yet precious moments that garnered 1.2 billion likes on Douyin over the past year.
Though it lacks Harbin’s exotic charm or Dalian’s coastal allure, Jilin boasts the majestic Changbai Mountains, the winding Songhua River, and the breathtaking beauty forged by their harmony with its people.
Everything here feels just right—the cities, the scenery, the food, the entertainment.
Even if it remains lesser-known to many, Jilin’s 27 million children live joyfully on this land, warmly welcoming friends from afar to share in their happiness.
Because here, happiness reigns supreme—to the utmost, to Jilin!