Jingyuetan National Forest Park – Pearl of the Green Sea

Beiputuo Temple is one of the renowned temples in Northeast China. Although it was built in 1996 and relatively new, it has gained widespread fame. Its consecration ceremony was held on June 22, 1997. During major Buddhist festivals, the temple is filled with the fragrance of incense and bustling with visitors and devotees. The tranquil and picturesque surroundings offer a refreshing and serene atmosphere, creating a peaceful retreat for those who visit.

Located west of Wangtan Square in the woods, the Shiyang Shihu Mountain Ancient Tomb sits on the southern slope of the central area of the Jingyuetan Reservoir, facing south. The tomb is named after the stone sculptures of two sheep, one tiger, and two human figures that stand before it. Archaeological studies suggest that the tomb may belong to a military officer of the Jin Dynasty with a rank above the third grade. The tomb has never been excavated since liberation, and in 1982, it was designated as a key cultural relic protection unit in Changchun.

Goddess Square serves as the main venue for large events in the park, with the statue of the Jingyue Goddess standing at the center of the fountain square. This iconic welcoming sculpture was created by renowned sculptor Ye Yushan and was unveiled on August 7, 2012. The goddess stands 8.2 meters tall, with a moon of 6 meters in diameter and a base of 2.28 meters high. The statue depicts the goddess reclining gracefully on a crescent moon, with her left hand resting on her cheek, her right hand reaching forward, and her hair flowing in the wind. Her eyes are gently closed, symbolizing tranquility and reflection. The rough surface of the moon contrasts with the smooth and delicate texture of the goddess, demonstrating superb artistic craftsmanship. The Jingyue Goddess represents beauty, purity, vitality, and the theme of love and life.

Bisong Jingyue Tower is an iconic landmark of Jingyuetan, located atop Guantan Mountain. From a distance, the tower appears to stand like a green guardian amidst the vast forest, safeguarding the serenity of Jingyuetan. Designed by renowned Chinese architect Qi Kang, the tower’s design is inspired by the resilient pine and cypress trees, seamlessly blending plant elements into its structure. The tower was opened to the public during the 200th anniversary of Changchun’s founding. Standing 50.2 meters tall, the “50” commemorates the 50th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, while “2” signifies the 200th anniversary of Changchun’s establishment.

The Taiping Bell Tower was built to commemorate the ten years, from 1981 to 1990, during which Jilin Province experienced no major forest fires. The bell tower stands 17 meters tall, with a large alloy bell hanging at the top. The bell is 2.5 meters high, 1.8 meters in diameter, and weighs 3.3 tons. Visitors can ascend the tower and ring the bell, whose deep and resonant tones echo through the air, offering blessings and prayers for peace and safety.

The Vasa Museum is the first museum in China dedicated to Vasa cross-country skiing. Its sloped roof and sturdy, rustic design reflect the traditional architectural style of Sweden, where the sport originated. The museum’s stone and wood construction creates a harmonious blend with the natural environment of Jingyuetan. Inside, the museum showcases a rich collection of Nordic-themed artifacts, including the famous Dala horses, century-old skis gifted by the Swedish royal family, and traditional Swedish costumes. It tells the story of “Vasa,” capturing the spirit of the sport. The museum also exhibits skis from various periods, dating from 1910 to 2010, vividly illustrating the evolution of ski design over the decades.

Jingyuetan is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the fourth side featuring an artificial reservoir dam. The dam, resembling a winding dragon, stretches along the edge of Jingyuetan, connecting Guantan Mountain to the west. It spans 555 meters in length and stands 19 meters tall. On the eastern side of the dam is a boat dock, where visitors can enjoy a leisurely boat ride, taking in the changing mountain scenery, lush forests, vibrant aquatic plants, and towering rocks, offering a sense of peace and tranquility.

The Jingyue Wetland, located between Xiliu Bridge and Heyan Bridge, covers an area of about 1 square kilometer. The wetland consists of four main parts: the wetland itself, an overflow dam, landscape gardening, and a boat platform. The park is home to a wide variety of plants, including birch, spruce, five-lobed maple, ash, reeds, cattails, lotus, 40,000 greening trees, 60,000 shrubs, 30,000 square meters of aquatic plants, 20,000 square meters of loosestrife, and 100,000 square meters of perennial flowers. This carefully designed yet seemingly natural ecosystem has created a high-quality wetland landscape that feels as if it were formed by nature itself. It provides a favorable environment for birds and other wildlife, enhancing the biodiversity of Jingyuetan National Forest Park. The wetland has expanded the water area, purified the water quality, and evokes the atmosphere of Jingyuetan’s original ecological environment, immersing visitors in a re-created natural paradise.

Jingyuetan Ski Resort, located in Changchun, is one of the largest ski resorts in Northeast China and is hailed as the “urban ski resort.” It serves as the venue for the annual China Changchun Ice and Snow Tourism Festival and the Changchun Jingyuetan Vasa International Cross-Country Skiing Festival. This event, co-organized with Sweden’s International Orienteering Federation, has grown into a major international competition, attracting ski enthusiasts and tourists from around the world.

The resort is situated in the transition zone between the northeastern mountains and western grasslands of Jilin Province, at an elevation of 200 to 400 meters. Its gentle hills make it an ideal location for skiing, offering five ski trails categorized by difficulty levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced, and cross-country. There are three beginner trails, measuring 580, 470, and 300 meters in length, with an average slope of 9 degrees, making them accessible to skiers of all ages and abilities. The cross-country trail is 1,500 meters long, 30 meters wide, and has a 12-degree slope, designed for experienced skiers and fun competitions. For intermediate-level skiers, there is one trail, 800 meters long, 45 meters wide, with an 18-degree slope, ideal for both enthusiasts and professional competitions.

Jingyue Snow World is a European-themed snow sculpture park and a key attraction of the winter experience in Jingyuetan. With snow as its primary medium and beauty as its guiding principle, Snow World has become a stunning highlight of the region’s winter tourism. In 2016, the park was designed across five distinct zones, covering a total area of 560,000 square meters and using over 150,000 cubic meters of snow. More than 200 snow sculptures were crafted, making it the largest in terms of scale, investment, and snow usage in Jilin Province. While maintaining its traditional European style, Snow World has creatively incorporated Chinese elements and expanded its interactive experiences for visitors. This combination offers a rich variety of activities, creating a magical winter wonderland where visitors can enjoy a unique winter experience at Jingyuetan.