Changchun facts for kids

For other uses, see Changchun (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Changchun 长春市
Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city
Clockwise from top: panoramic view from Shengtai Plaza, panoramic view of Ji Tower, Former Manchukuo State Department, Statue on cultural square, Changchun Christian Church, Soviet martyr monument.
Nickname(s): 北国春城 (Spring City of the Northern Country)
Location of Changchun City (yellow) in Jilin (light grey) and China
Changchun Location in Jilin Show map of Jilin Changchun Location in China Show map of China
Country	China
Province	Jilin
County-level divisions	7 districts 2 county-level divisions 1 county
Incorporated (town)	1889
Incorporated (city)	1932
Municipal seat	Nanguan District
Government
• Type	Sub-provincial city
• Body	Changchun Municipal People's Congress
Area
• Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city	24,734 km² (9,550 sq mi)
• Urban (2017)	1,855.00 km² (716.22 sq mi)
• Metro	1,855.00 km² (716.22 sq mi)
Elevation	222 m (730 ft)
Population (2020 census)
• Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city	9,066,906
• Density	366.577/km² (949.429/sq mi)
• Urban	5,691,024
• Urban density	3,067.937/km² (7,945.922/sq mi)
• Metro	5,019,477
• Metro density	2,705.918/km² (7,008.294/sq mi)
GDP
• Prefecture-level & Sub-provincial city	CN¥ 553 billion US$ 88.8 billion
• Per capita	CN¥ 73,324 US$ 11,773
Time zone	UTC+8 (China Standard)
Postal code	130000
Area code(s)	0431
ISO 3166 code	CN-JL-01
License plate prefixes	吉A
Website	www.changchun.gov.cn

Changchun

"Changchun" in Simplified Chinese characters

Chinese name

Chángchūn

Literal meaning

"Long Spring"

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Chángchūn
Bopomofo	ㄔㄤˊ ㄔㄨㄣ
Gwoyeu Romatzyh	Charngchuen
Wade–Giles	Chʻang²-chʻun¹
IPA	[ʈʂʰǎŋ.ʈʂʰu̯ə́n]
Wu
Suzhounese	Zan-tshen
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization	Chèuhng-chēun
IPA	[tsʰœ̏ːŋ.tsʰɵ́n]
Jyutping	Coeng⁴-ceon¹
Southern Min
Hokkien POJ	Tiông-chhun

Hsinking

Chinese

新京

Hanyu Pinyin

Xīnjīng

Literal meaning

New Capital

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Xīnjīng
Bopomofo	ㄒㄧㄣㄐㄧㄥ
Gwoyeu Romatzyh	Shinjing
Wade–Giles	Hsin¹-ching¹
Yale Romanization	Syīnjīng

Manchu name

Manchu script

ᠴᠠᠨᡤᠴᠣᠨ

Romanization

Cangcon

Changchun is a big city in Jilin Province, China. It's the capital and largest city of the province. The city is located in the middle of the Songliao Plain. Its name means "long spring" in Chinese.

Changchun is a very important industrial city, especially known for making cars. People sometimes call it "China's Detroit" because of its big role in the car industry. It's also known as a "National Garden City" because it has lots of green spaces and parks.

The city is also a hub for science and learning. It's home to several major universities, including Jilin University and Northeast Normal University. These are some of China's most respected universities.

History of Changchun

How Changchun Began

Changchun started as a small trading post during the Qing dynasty. It was a place where people traded things like furs. In 1800, it was named "Changchun Ting."

Later, in the late 1700s, many farmers from crowded areas like Shandong and Hebei moved here. By 1889, the village grew big enough to become a city called "Changchun Fu."

The Railway Era

In 1898, Changchun got its first railway station. This was part of a railway line built by the Russian Empire. It connected Harbin to Lüshun.

After a war between Russia and Japan (1904–1905), Japan took control of the southern part of this railway. Changchun became a key meeting point between the Russian and Japanese railway lines. This meant trains from different countries met here.

Japan saw Changchun as a very important place. They started planning and building a modern city around the railway station. They spent a lot of money to make it a fancy city with good facilities. This plan aimed to make Changchun a center for Japan's control over Manchuria.

The city's design was very modern for its time. It had wide roads and special areas for homes, shops, and factories. This planning helped Changchun grow quickly.

Hsinking: The New Capital

In 1932, Changchun was chosen as the capital of Manchukuo. This was a state controlled by Imperial Japan in Manchuria. The city was renamed Hsinking, which means "New Capital" in Japanese.

During this time, Hsinking became a very well-planned city. It had wide avenues and modern public buildings. Many of these buildings are still standing today. The city grew very fast in terms of its economy and buildings. It was designed with lots of trees and green spaces, earning it the nickname the Forest Capital.

The population of Hsinking also grew a lot. By 1944, it was one of the biggest cities in Manchukuo.

After World War II

In 1945, the Soviet Red Army took control of Changchun. The city went back to its original name. Later, during the Chinese Civil War, the city was taken by the Chinese Communist Party in 1948 after a long fight. This event was a big turning point in the war.

After the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Changchun became the capital of Jilin Province in 1954.

Changchun also became a major center for China's automotive industry. The First Automobile Works (FAW) started building trucks in 1956. They also made the famous Hongqi (Red Flag) limousines. This is why Changchun is known as "China's Detroit."

The city also became famous for its film industry. The Changchun Film Studio is one of China's oldest film studios. The city hosts the yearly Changchun Film Festival.

In 2007, Changchun hosted the 2007 Winter Asian Games, a big sports event.

Geography and Climate

Location and Landscape

Changchun is located in the middle of the Northeast China Plain. The city is at a moderate height, usually between 250 and 350 meters above sea level. There are 222 rivers and lakes in the area. The Yitong River flows through the city.

Weather in Changchun

Changchun has four distinct seasons. Winters are long, cold, and dry, lasting from November to March. Summers are hot and humid, from June to August. Spring and autumn are short. Snowfall is usually light in winter. The city gets a lot of sunshine throughout the year.

Climate data for Changchun (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–2018)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	4.6 (40.3)	14.5 (58.1)	23.4 (74.1)	31.9 (89.4)	35.2 (95.4)	36.7 (98.1)	38.0 (100.4)	35.6 (96.1)	30.6 (87.1)	27.8 (82.0)	20.7 (69.3)	11.7 (53.1)	38.0 (100.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	−9.3 (15.3)	−3.9 (25.0)	4.5 (40.1)	14.8 (58.6)	22.0 (71.6)	26.5 (79.7)	28.1 (82.6)	26.9 (80.4)	22.3 (72.1)	13.7 (56.7)	2.0 (35.6)	−7.1 (19.2)	11.7 (53.1)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−14.3 (6.3)	−9.3 (15.3)	−1 (30)	8.8 (47.8)	16.2 (61.2)	21.3 (70.3)	23.7 (74.7)	22.3 (72.1)	16.5 (61.7)	7.9 (46.2)	−2.8 (27.0)	−11.8 (10.8)	6.5 (43.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−18.6 (−1.5)	−14.3 (6.3)	−6.1 (21.0)	3.0 (37.4)	10.5 (50.9)	16.3 (61.3)	19.7 (67.5)	18.2 (64.8)	11.2 (52.2)	2.8 (37.0)	−7.1 (19.2)	−15.9 (3.4)	1.6 (35.0)
Record low °C (°F)	−36.5 (−33.7)	−31.9 (−25.4)	−27.7 (−17.9)	−12.2 (10.0)	−3.4 (25.9)	4.5 (40.1)	11.1 (52.0)	3.9 (39.0)	−3.7 (25.3)	−13.4 (7.9)	−24.7 (−12.5)	−33.2 (−27.8)	−36.5 (−33.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	4.4 (0.17)	6.1 (0.24)	13.4 (0.53)	22.0 (0.87)	62.6 (2.46)	102.1 (4.02)	147.5 (5.81)	131.6 (5.18)	53.9 (2.12)	24.6 (0.97)	16.9 (0.67)	8.2 (0.32)	593.3 (23.36)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)	5.1	4.4	5.6	6.5	11.0	13.5	13.4	12.3	8.1	6.8	6.1	6.5	99.3
Average snowy days	7.5	5.9	6.4	2.4	0.1	0	0	0	0	1.9	6.1	8.2	38.5
Average relative humidity (%)	66	57	51	44	50	63	75	76	65	59	62	67	61
Mean monthly sunshine hours	180.9	203.7	236.9	238.1	253.5	245.4	229.0	235.3	236.8	210.4	167.7	159.1	2,596.8
Percent possible sunshine	62	69	64	59	55	53	49	55	64	62	59	58	59
Average ultraviolet index	1	2	3	5	6	7	8	8	5	3	1	1	4
Source 1: China Meteorological Administration Weather China
Source 2: Weather Atlas

City Layout and Divisions

Changchun City People's Government

Changchun is divided into different areas. It has 7 districts, 3 county-level cities, and 1 county. These divisions help manage the large city and its surrounding areas.

Map
Nanguan Kuancheng Chaoyang Erdao Luyuan Shuangyang Jiutai Nong'an County Yushu (city) Dehui (city) Gongzhuling (city)
Name	Simplified Chinese	Hanyu Pinyin	Population (2020 census)	Area (km²)
City proper
Chaoyang District	朝阳区	Cháoyáng Qū	1,074,628	286.7
Nanguan District	南关区	Nánguān Qū	1,066,422	529.7
Kuancheng District	宽城区	Kuānchéng Qū	856,177	941.5
Erdao District	二道区	Èrdào Qū	559,966	452
Luyuan District	绿园区	Lùyuán Qū	1.002,672	492.6
Suburb
Shuangyang District	双阳区	Shuāngyáng Qū	335,723	1,677
Jiutai District	九台区	Jiǔtái Qū	613,836	3368
Satellite cities
Dehui	德惠市	Déhuì Shì	635,476	2,984
Yushu	榆树市	Yúshù Shì	836,098	4,749
Gongzhuling	公主岭市	Gōngzhǔlǐng Shì	862,313	4,145
Rural
Nong'an County	农安县	Nóng'ān Xiàn	763,983	5,239

People of Changchun

Population Growth

Changchun is a very populated city. In 2020, over 9 million people lived in the area it controls. The city's main urban area had about 5 million people.

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1932	104,305	—
1934	160,381	+53.8%
1939	415,473	+159.1%
1944	863,607	+107.9%
1953	855,197	−1.0%
1964	4,221,445	+393.6%
1982	5,744,769	+36.1%
1990	6,421,956	+11.8%
2000	7,135,439	+11.1%
2010	7,677,089	+7.6%
Population size may be affected by changes in administrative divisions. In 1958, 5 counties were put under Changchun's jurisdiction, increasing the total population to over 4 million.

Different Groups of People

Most people in Changchun are Han nationality, which is the main ethnic group in China. But there are also several other minority groups living here. These include the Manchu, Korean, Hui, and Mongol people.

Ethnicity	Population	Percentage
Han	6,883,310	96.47%
Manchu	142,998	2.0%
Korean	49,588	0.69%
Hui	43,692	0.61%
Mongol	11,106	0.16%
Xibe	685	0.01%
Zhuang	533	0.01%
Miao	522	0.01%
Other	3,005	0.04%

Culture and Beliefs

Local Language

The most common way of speaking in Changchun is the Northeastern Mandarin dialect. This dialect is a mix of languages from people who moved here from other parts of China. In the city, the dialect is closer to standard Mandarin Chinese.

Religions in Changchun

Changchun has four main religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, and Islam. There are many places of worship for these religions.

Some famous temples and churches include Changchun Wanshou Temple, Baoguo Prajna Temple, and Changchun Catholic Church. Long ago, many Manchu people believed in Shamanism. Today, the study of Shamanism is an important part of the region's culture.

Places to Visit

Jilin Provincial Museum: This is a top museum in China. It has many interesting collections about the region's history and culture.
Badabu: This is a group of old government buildings from the Manchukuo period. They have a unique mix of Chinese, Japanese, and Manchurian styles.
Jingyuetan National Forest Park: Located outside the city, this park is a beautiful place to visit. It's one of China's top tourist spots and hosts the annual Vasaloppet China ski event.

Economy and Industries

Changchun's economy is strong and growing. In 2010, its total economic output was about 332.9 billion Chinese Yuan.

Main Industries

Changchun is famous for several key industries:

Automobiles: This is the biggest industry. Changchun is China's largest center for making and designing cars. The FAW Group is based here. They made China's first truck and car. They also work with big international brands like Audi, Volkswagen, and Toyota.
Transportation Manufacturing: The city also makes trains and other transport vehicles. Changchun Railway Vehicles builds many of China's passenger trains and even bullet train carriages. These new bullet trains can run in very cold weather and have cool features like Wi-Fi and sleeper beds.
Other Industries: These include processing farm products, making medicines, photo electronics, and building materials.

Development Zones

Changchun has special areas called development zones. These zones help new businesses grow and bring in money from other countries.

Changchun Automotive Economic Trade and Development Zone: This zone focuses on the car industry. It has a huge wholesale center for cars and car parts.
Changchun High Technology Development Zone: This zone is for advanced technology. It has many universities and research centers. It focuses on bio-engineering, car engineering, new materials, and information technology.
Changchun Economic and Technological Development Zone: This zone attracts foreign companies. It focuses on car parts, photo electronics, medicines, and food processing.

City Infrastructure

Changchun is a well-planned city with wide roads and public spaces. The city is always growing and improving its transport systems.

Trains

Changchun railway station

Changchun has two main train stations. The central Changchun railway station connects to many cities in China. The new Changchun West railway station is mainly for high-speed trains.

Buses and Trams

The city has a large bus system with over 250 routes. Changchun is also one of the few cities in China that still has a historic tram system. It opened in 1941 and now has one main line, plus a new branch to the West Railway Station.

Metro System

Changchun has a modern metro system called Changchun Rail Transit. It includes both light rail and metro lines. The first line opened in 2002. By 2018, there were 5 lines, covering over 100 kilometers. More lines are being built to make travel around the city even easier.

Roads and Highways

Changchun is connected to China's national highway network. Major expressways link it to cities like Beijing, Harbin, and Shenzhen. The road between Changchun and Jilin City is especially busy.

Airport

Changchun Longjia International Airport is located northeast of the city. It opened in 2005 and serves both Changchun and Jilin City. The airport has flights to many major cities in China and some international destinations like Bangkok and Tokyo.

Education in Changchun

Universities and Colleges

Changchun is a big center for higher education. It has 27 universities and colleges with about 160,000 students.

Jilin University: One of the largest universities in China with over 60,000 students.
Northeast Normal University: Another key university in China.
Other universities include Changchun Normal University, Changchun University, and Changchun University of Science and Technology.

Schools

Changchun has many middle schools and international schools.

High School Attached to Northeast Normal University
Affiliated Middle School to Jilin University
Changchun American International School
Deutsche Internationale Schule Changchun

Sports and Entertainment

Changchun Sports Centre

Changchun is home to professional sports teams:

Jilin Northeast Tigers: A basketball team that plays in China's top league.
Changchun Yatai: A soccer team that won the Chinese Super League in 2007.

The city has several large sports venues, including the Changchun City Stadium and the Development Area Stadium. The Changchun Wuhuan Gymnasium was the main venue for the 2007 Asian Winter Games.

Changchun also has an indoor speed skating rink, which is one of only five in China.