JILIN PROVINCE'S VIBRANT CULTURE MAKES A SPLASH

Ecological gem of a mountain range, cultural heritage sites and ethnic diversity just some of the highlights offered by area in Northeast China

On the world's golden latitude belt for snow and ice, featuring the European Alps and the North American Rockies, there is another famous mountain range: Changbai Mountain in Jilin province in Northeast China.

Changbai Mountain serves as a key ecological barrier in Northeast Asia. It has a long winter season with abundant snow. Here lies Tianchi, the highest crater lake in the world, resembling a blue gem set in the beautiful mountain's peak. This sacred mountain also has reserves of high-quality ginseng, deer antlers, mineral water and Songhua inkstones.

Just as the Danube River nurtured the European civilization, the renowned Changbai Mountain, as the source of the Songhua River, Tumen River and Yalu River, nourishes a brilliant culture. The tradition of ice fishing on Jilin's Chagan Lake was recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage item in China. From 37 BC to 668 AD, the ancient kingdom Goguryeo established its capital here. Several locations in Jilin province, containing early Goguryeo ruins and tombs, were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. The province is also home to the largest concentration of ethnic groups in Northeast China — the Jilin Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture — which adds vibrancy to the regional culture of Jilin.

Jilin is located in one of the world's three major black soil regions, which are known for their rich organic carbon content. In 2024, Jilin's grain output reached 42.66 billion kilograms, ranking first in single crop yield for three consecutive years among China's major grain-producing provinces.

Leveraging its ecological and cultural resources, the local government is committed to creating globally-known ice and snow brands, tourist destinations and summer resorts. In 2024, the province achieved tourism revenue of 635 billion yuan ($87.4 billion), up about 20 percent year-on-year. It received 388 million visits from domestic and foreign tourists, making Jilin an increasingly important choice for global visitors.