I spent 3 days and 2 nights in Changchun and stayed up late to write this travel guide
by BCB. Sam 2175
Apr 24, 2025
Changchun Autumn 4 Days 3 Nights Slow Travel Guide
It turns out Changchun is the quietest art film in Northeast China. I spent the entire autumn walking through the streets of the Puppet Manchukuo era...
> 🍁 Best Season: October 10 - November 10, 2024 (Ginkgo trees turn golden, fewer people, peaceful scenery)
> 🕰️ Recommended Itinerary: 4 days 3 nights · slow-paced wandering
> 💰 Total Budget: ¥1800-2500 per person (excluding major transportation)
> 📍 Suitable For: Artistic youth / couples / photography enthusiasts / history buffs
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🍂 Autumn in Changchun
✅ Perfect climate: 10-18℃, clear sunshine, cool mornings and evenings, ideal for strolling and daydreaming
✅ Stunning visuals: the city is covered in golden ginkgo leaves, fallen sycamore leaves, and old building silhouettes, resembling a Republican-era film
✅ Less crowded: no Harbin hustle, no crowds like Changbai Mountain, enjoy the city’s tranquility alone
✅ Super convenient transport: full coverage of subway + buses, taxi starting fare only ¥8
✅ Great value: you can stay in an artistic guesthouse for around ¥200 per night, and have a hotpot meal for just ¥80
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🗺️ Itinerary Plan
| Day | Area | Main Activities | Suggested Accommodation |
|------|------|-----------------|-------------------------|
| Day 1 | Nanhu Park & Cultural Square | Arrival + Ginkgo Avenue + Old building photography | Near Chongqing Road / Guilin Road |
| Day 2 | Puppet Manchukuo Palace & Northeast Normal University | Time travel to the Republican era + campus autumn scenery + café daydreaming | Same as above |
| Day 3 | Jilin Provincial Museum & Changchun Film Studio Museum | Explore history + vintage-style photoshoot | |
| Day 4 | Xinmin Street & Baihua Garden | Walk through a Republican-era street, then return | |
> 💡 Suggested pace: Only 1-2 spots per day, focusing on “idling away time.”
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🏨 Accommodation Recommendations (By Need | High Value + Stylish)
✅ Top Choice for Artistic Youth | Stay in Republican-era street scenes
- Recommended areas: Chongqing Road, Guilin Road, Xinmin Street surroundings
- Recommended guesthouses:
- “Qichi · Time Lane”: renovated old Western-style house with a courtyard ginkgo tree, stunning in autumn
- “Home by the Changchun Film Studio”: close to the Film Studio Museum, vintage decor, great for photos
- 🔍 Search keywords: `"Changchun artistic guesthouse"`, `"guesthouse near Puppet Manchukuo Palace"`
✅ Best Value Choice | Convenient transport, easy dining
- Recommended areas: Chongqing Road business district, Guilin Road night market
- Recommended hotels:
- All Seasons Hotel (Changchun Jiefang Road branch)
- Home Inn Business (Guilin Road branch)
- Price: ¥200-300/night, clean and comfortable, 5-minute walk to subway
> 💡 Money-saving tip: Avoid weekends, midweek prices are 20% lower, perfect for off-peak travel!
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🎫 Must-Visit Attractions & Experiences (with Tickets + Tips)
| Attraction | Ticket | Blogger’s Advice | Tips |
|------------|--------|------------------|------|
| Puppet Manchukuo Palace Museum | ¥30 | Recommend guided tour to hear the tragic life of the last emperor | Book in advance on official site/Trip.com |
| Nanhu Park | Free | Must-visit ginkgo avenue in autumn, boat rides available | Least crowded at 8 AM |
| Xinmin Street | Free | Best-preserved “Puppet Manchukuo official street” in China, like Tokyo’s ginkgo avenue | Wear vintage-style clothes for photos |
| Changchun Film Studio Museum | ¥50 | Cradle of Chinese cinema, vintage sets perfect for photos | Features a replica of old Changchun street scenes |
| Jilin Provincial Museum | Free (reservation required) | See the “Baishan Songshui” exhibition, learn Northeast history | Closed on Mondays! |
| Baihua Garden | Free | Autumn chrysanthemum exhibition + European-style architecture, a hidden gem for photos | Popular with locals |
> 📌 Hidden gem:
Take a walk around Northeast Normal University Jingyue Campus or Jilin University Weibei North Campus,
the autumn campus is covered with fallen leaves and dappled sycamore shadows,
reminiscent of Hokkaido in the movie "Love Letter."
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☕ Artistic Hangouts | Slow Life Moments in Changchun
1. “Chi Ye Coffee” (Guilin Road)
Renovated old house, natural wood style, hand-brewed coffee aroma, perfect for writing postcards.
2. “Shucun Coffee” (near Eurasia Market)
Hidden in a residential building, quiet, ginkgo trees outside the window, photo-worthy like a Korean drama.
3. “Xueran Bookstore” (Tongzhi Street)
Changchun’s oldest independent bookstore, three-story old building, sells used books, film cameras, vinyl records.
4. “Tractor 1958” (Hongqi Street)
A cultural and creative park converted from an old factory, with exhibitions, coffee, and a small theater.
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🍜 Changchun Must-Try Food List (Locally Certified)
| Category | Recommended Shop | Address | Blogger’s Review |
|----------|------------------|---------|------------------|
| Guobaorou (Sweet and Sour Pork) | Lao Chang Spring Pancake | Multiple branches | Crispy outside, tender inside, perfectly sweet and sour |
| Korean Cold Noodles | Shunxin Restaurant | Kuanping Avenue | Clear broth, authentic flavor, large beef slices |
| Xueyi Red Bean Paste | State-run Restaurant | Near Pedestrian Street | King of Northeast desserts, fluffy like a cloud |
| Grilled Cold Noodles | Guilin Road Night Market Stall | Guilin Road | Add egg and sausage, a trio of sour, sweet, and spicy flavors |
| Braised Pork Bones | Lao Bai’s Braised Pork Bones | Nanhu Avenue | Best for autumn and winter, perfect with rice |
| Frozen Pear | Any fruit stall | In the fridge, dark and cold | Eat frozen, juicy burst in every bite, a Northeast specialty |
📌 Blogger’s secret eating tips:
- Breakfast: tofu pudding + fried dough sticks (called “old tofu” locally)
- Lunch: Lao Chang Spring Pancake + Guobaorou + scallion sauce pork, rolled up to eat
- Afternoon tea: Guilin Road grilled cold noodles + a cup of Modern Ice Cream (sold even in winter!)
- Dinner: Braised pork bones + beer, experience the hearty Northeast spirit
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📸 Photo Spots Recommendations (No Photo Fails)
| Location | Best Time | Photo Tips |
|----------|-----------|------------|
| Xinmin Street | 9-10 AM | Slanting sunlight, golden ginkgo, capture “Republican era style” |
| Puppet Manchukuo Palace Red Walls | 3-4 PM | Wear a plain long dress, shoot from a low angle |
| Nanhu Park Nine-Bend Bridge | 7 AM | Mist over the lake, floating leaves, full of atmosphere |
| Changchun Film Studio Street Scenes | 4-5 PM | Wear vintage clothes, capture “Old Changchun” movie vibe |
| Baihua Garden European-style Porch | Sunset | Shoot silhouettes or backlit portraits |
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💰 Total Budget Reference (Per Person | Excluding Round-trip Major Transport)
| Item | Cost |
|-------|------|
| Accommodation (3 nights) | ¥600-900 (guesthouse/economy hotel) |
| Food (snacks + meals) | ¥500-700 |
| Tickets + Transport | ¥200 |
| Coffee / Souvenirs | ¥100 |
| Total | ¥1800 - 2500 |
> ✈️ Travel Suggestions:
> - High-speed train: Beijing → Changchun ¥400-600, 4 hours direct
> - Flights: Shanghai/Guangzhou → Changchun ¥500-900 (book early)
Post by owen SSS | Sep 4, 2025























