How to have a one-day trip in Changchun, Jilin Province?
by Kwcwc
Mar 23, 2025
With crystal-clear waters, vast forests, and sprawling ridges, Asia's largest man-made forest and the harmonious mountain-water ecosystem create a picturesque scene of Jingyuetan’s ever-changing seasonal charm.
Located in the southeast suburbs of Changchun, there is a 96.38 square kilometer green gem—Jingyuetan National Forest Park. With a forest coverage rate of over 96%, it is truly a "natural oxygen bar."
As a national 5A-level tourist attraction, Jingyuetan boasts an ecological landscape where mountains and waters coexist. It is not only the ecological green core and city card of Changchun but also known as "Asia’s Largest Man-Made Forest Sea," "Green Pearl," and "Urban Oxygen Bar."
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01 Lake and Mountain Scenery
The name Jingyuetan comes from its shape when viewed from the air—the lake curves like a crescent moon, hence the name "Jingyuetan" (Pure Moon Lake).
Jingyuetan covers a water area of 4.3 square kilometers, with a broad and mirror-like clear surface. The water is crystal clear, surrounded by vast forests and sprawling ridges.
The entire scenic area is divided into four parts: Moon Lake Water Light, North Lake Mountain Scenery, South Lake Forest Sea, and East Lake Countryside.
The rolling mountains stretch into intersecting valleys, encircling a crescent-shaped clear lake.
02 Seasonal Splendor
Spring
In spring, Jingyuetan is lush and vibrant. Everything revives, trees are shaded green, and birds sing among fragrant flowers.
The trees around Jingyuetan sprout new buds, with tender green leaves reflecting the clear lake water, creating a lively and thriving scene.
Summer
In summer, the water ripples gently, clouds are white, and the breeze is clear. This is a perfect summer retreat, with average temperatures lower than the city, lush forests, and sparkling lake waves.
Enjoying the breeze on the dam while admiring the lake and mountain scenery is very pleasant.
Autumn
In autumn, the forests are dyed in layers of color, and the mountains and waters paint an expressive picture. It is one of the most beautiful seasons at Jingyuetan, with leaves turning red, yellow, and orange, interwoven with the deep blue sky and green lake, forming a colorful masterpiece.
On the morning of October 4th, autumn sunlight shone over the colorful forested mountains, with red, yellow, and green hues blending into a splendid painting, attracting many visitors to stop and take photos.
Winter
In winter, the land is frozen for miles, covered in snow and grandeur. Jingyuetan is wrapped in silver, transforming into a world of ice and snow. The lake surface freezes, trees are covered with snow, and frost wonders often appear, as if stepping into a fairy tale.
Winter at Jingyuetan is quiet and beautiful, featuring dreamy blue ice, ice roses, black pine forests, the Vasa Museum, and forest bathing areas—all must-see attractions.
03 Core Attractions
Iconic Scenery of Jingyuetan
The Bison Jingyue Tower is the iconic building of Jingyuetan. The tower is located on Guantan Mountain. From afar, the Bison Jingyue Tower stands tall in the vast forest sea like a green guardian protecting this pure land.
The Goddess of Jingyuetan sculpture is the iconic welcoming landmark, with the goddess reclining on a crescent moon in a graceful pose, symbolizing deep meaning and adding an artistic atmosphere to the park.
Cultural and Historical Sites
The Taiping Bell Tower was built to commemorate ten years without major forest fires in Jilin Province, with a rich and melodious bell sound.
Beiputuo Temple is one of the famous temples in Northeast China, bustling with incense during major Buddhist festivals.
The Vasa Museum features Nordic classical architecture. Inside, exhibits include the Dala horse, century-old skis gifted by the Swedish royal family, and exotic traditional costumes, vividly retelling the story of "Vasa."
Natural Scenery
The Forest Bathing Area opened to the public in 1999 and is known as a "natural oxygen bar." It is rich in oxygen, with negative oxygen ions 100 times higher than the city.
The forest here is tall and straight, and everything is peaceful and fresh.
The reservoir dam lies across the edge of Jingyuetan, serving both practical functions and as a unique scenic line. Standing on the dam offers a broad view to take in the surrounding beauty.
Next to the dam is a round building built at the same time, one of the earliest structures in the park, called the "Water Release Tower," a must-photograph spot for visitors.
04 Unique Experiences
Skiing and Ice Entertainment
Since 2003, Jingyuetan has hosted the Swedish Vasa International Cross-Country Skiing event and has held the "Changchun Ice and Snow Tourism Festival and Jingyuetan Vasa International Ski Festival" for many years.
Jingyuetan Ski Resort offers beginner, intermediate, and advanced slopes suitable for skiers of different levels. Visitors can also enjoy snowmobiles, sledding, and ice drifting.
Winter ice and snow entertainment at Jingyuetan is rich and colorful: ride snowmobiles across vast snowy fields and frozen lakes; gallop on horseback across the snow; or take a dog sled ride on the ice and snow, all providing endless fun.
Forest Bathing and Hiking
The forest bathing area is one of the park’s core attractions. The forest bathing trail is 5 kilometers long, with dense forests, fresh air, and abundant negative oxygen ions.
It is ideal for slow walking, jogging, yoga, meditation, and other activities. Strolling in the fresh air allows you to enjoy the tranquility of nature.
Boating and Bicycling
Boating on Jingyuetan is a pleasant activity. There are boat docks near the dam, ski resort, and forest bathing area.
Walking the entire route may take a whole day and be tiring. A more effortless and fun option is cycling; riding around the lake takes nearly two hours. Bicycles can be rented at the main entrance.
Observation Tower and Cable Car
Taking the 1,316-meter-long aerial sightseeing cable car offers a panoramic view of Jingyuetan Scenic Area. The dense, towering trees spread across the snowy land create breathtaking scenes of forest seas and snowfields.
The cable car ride around Jingyuetan takes about forty minutes round trip. The observation tower stands at an altitude of 351 meters, offering a magnificent view of the entire Jingyuetan.
It is perfect for photography enthusiasts to capture stunning panoramic views of the forest and lake.
05 Travel Tips
Tickets and Opening Hours
Jingyuetan National Forest Park tickets cost 30 RMB per person. The park is open year-round from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Transportation Guide
Public Transport: Take Metro Line 3 to Jingyue Park (Main Entrance) or Ski Resort Station (West Gate); take bus routes 102, 120, or 160 to the main entrance or ski resort station.
Self-Driving: Navigate to Jingyuetan National Forest Park. There is a parking lot inside the park with a fee of 10 RMB per vehicle.
Recommended Routes
One-day tour route: Main Entrance Goddess Square - Lotus and Weeping Willow Garden - Bison Jingyue Tower - Taiping Bell Tower - Boat Dock - Jingyuetan Reservoir Dam.
Essence route (West to East): Goddess Square - Reservoir Dam - Small Forest Bathing Area - West Gate - Large Forest Bathing Area - Ski Resort Cableway - Vasa Museum - Golf Practice Range - Pine Guest Reception - Bison Jingyue Tower, Taiping Bell Tower - Goddess Square.
Food and Accommodation
Inside the park: Simple meals like grilled sausages, corn, instant noodles; some spots offer creative ice cream at 25 RMB for 3 sticks.
Outside the park: Recommended Yutan Restaurant (Xiaobenzi Main Store) with specialties like big pork knuckle and big pot stew; also Yuanshengju (Ecological Street Store) hot pot restaurant.
Accommodation recommendations: Changchun Jingyuetan Yitian Sheraton Hotel, adjacent to the park with direct access to Metro Line 6 for convenient travel; Changchun Jingyuetan Park Jingyue Street Atour Hotel, also near the park with elegant rooms.
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According to statistics, during the first three days of the "Double Festival" holiday, Jingyuetan National Forest Park in Changchun received 123,900 visitors, a year-on-year increase of 13.04%.
No matter the season, Jingyuetan always has a grand natural adventure waiting for you.
Post by Delightful Amelia~Gray56 | Oct 10, 2025















