Major city · China
Jilin City吉林市
Give Jilin one full day for the river, Beishan Park and the meteorite museum; add a second only for a Songhua Lake or Beidahu side trip.
Jilin City sits on a bend of the Songhua River in Jilin province, about 45 minutes by high-speed train from Changchun. It is a low-key northeast industrial city with a handful of real sights: the riverfront, Beishan Park, a museum holding the world's largest stone meteorite, and winter ice-rimmed trees. Most travellers pass through on the way to Changbaishan or the Beidahu ski area.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CNY
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (down to −25 °C (−13 °F)), Jul–Aug (humid, heavy rain)avoid Jan–Feb (down to −13 °F (−25 °C)), Jul–Aug (humid, heavy rain)
- Airport
- CGQ
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Jilin City110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Jilin City, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Alipay and WeChat Pay accept Visa, Mastercard, JCB and Amex cards; single payments over ¥200 (≈ US$30) carry a fee of about 3% on a foreign card (smaller ones…China-wide
- SIM or eSIMA roaming eSIM from outside China routes traffic through its home network, so Google, WhatsApp and Instagram work without a VPN — the simplest setup.China-wide
- Tap waterNot for drinking from the tap; bottled water ¥2–5 (≈ under US$1), and kettles and free bottles in hotel rooms.China-wide
- TippingRestaurants: No tip; upmarket hotels add 10–15% service.China-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/C/I. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.China-wide
- SafetyA calm, low-crime city by Chinese standards.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are frequent and free; squat toilets outside hotels and malls.China-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 120 fire and ambulance · 122 Traffic police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums and palaces close on Mondays; the Forbidden City too (outside holidays).China-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCGQ Changchun Longjia International (About 65 km (40 mi) away; high-speed train to Jilin city in roughly 30 min for about ¥24 (≈ US$4)…CGQ Changchun Longjia International (About 40 mi (65 km) away; high-speed train to Jilin city in roughly 30 min for about ¥24 (≈ US$4)…
- Getting aroundCity buses cost ¥1 (≈ under US$1) flat across the urban area and get crowded at rush hour.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealNoodle or dumpling meal¥15–40 (≈ US$3–6)
- Beerbottle in a bar / can at a convenience store¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5)¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)5 km (3.1 mi) taxi ride3.1 mi (5 km) taxi rideMeter starts at ¥5 for 2.5 km (1.6 mi), then about ¥2/km.Meter starts at ¥5 for 1.6 mi (2.5 km), then about ¥2/km.¥15–20 (≈ US$3)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride¥1 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (most halls free; meteorite hall)Waived for over-65s and young children.¥70 (≈ US$10)
- Budget bedHostel or budget-chain bed, a night, per personCN¥80 (≈ US$12)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥320 (≈ US$45)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomCN¥600 (≈ US$85)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CN¥200 (≈ US$30) · Mid CN¥450 (≈ US$65) · High CN¥900 (≈ US$130)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CGQ Changchun Longjia International (About 65 km (40 mi) away; high-speed train to Jilin city in roughly 30 min for about ¥24, or a coach 4 times a day for ¥20–30, or a taxi around ¥200 with tolls)CGQ Changchun Longjia International (About 40 mi (65 km) away; high-speed train to Jilin city in roughly 30 min for about ¥24, or a coach 4 times a day for ¥20–30, or a taxi around ¥200 with tolls)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Dec
not flagged
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C) low), wettest Jul (157 rain days), driest Jan (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Jilin City: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
−21°C (−6°F)−6°F (−21°C)
7 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
9 rd
Mar
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
16 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
32 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
67 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
111 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
157 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
155 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
67 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
34 rd
Nov
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
23 rd
Dec
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−17°C (1°F)1°F (−17°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses cost ¥1 flat across the urban area and get crowded at rush hour. Taxis start at ¥5 for the first 2.5 km, then about ¥2/km; drivers use the meter. The high-speed rail corridor links Jilin to Changchun in about 45 min and Harbin in about 2.5 h.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Songhua Lake (Fengman Reservoir)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus 333 from the east side of Jilin Railway Station to the visitor centre
Entry ¥10, boat cruise ¥50; open roughly 08:00–17:00.Entry ¥10, boat cruise ¥50; open roughly 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Zhuque Mountain National Forest Park
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus 33 or 333, about 10 km (6.2 mi) east on Jifeng RoadBus 33 or 333, about 6.2 mi (10 km) east on Jifeng Road
Entry ¥30; hiking and a small ski area.
Beidahu Ski Resort
overnightDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Coach or taxi from the city; check the resort's own shuttle
Long snow season; snow sports venue of the 6th Asian Winter Games. Sleep on site in winter.
Changchun
goDoor to door: About 45 min
D train from Jilin Railway Station
Capital of the province; easy half-day or onward rail link.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Jilin Railway Station area
High-speed rail and long-distance buses; practical for one night with bags.
Chuanying District (riverside)
Near Jiangcheng Square, the Catholic church and the old lanes; walkable to the riverfront.
Fengman District
South along the river toward Songhua Lake; quieter, further from the station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥150–300 (≈ US$25–45) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥300–600 (≈ US$45–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥600 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × CN¥320 | CN¥320 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CN¥450 | CN¥900 |
| CGQ airport to Jilin city by high-speed train, one way2 × CN¥24 | CN¥48 |
| City bus ride2 × CN¥1 | CN¥2 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × CN¥100 | CN¥200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CN¥147 |
| Trip total≈ CN¥809 per person per day, bed included | CN¥1,617≈ US$250 |
2026 estimate in yuan; long-distance rail and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | ¥15–35 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Noodle or dumpling meal | ¥15–40 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Beer: bottle in a bar / can at a convenience store | ¥15–30 (≈ US$3–5) / ¥5–10 (≈ US$1–2) |
| 5 km taxi rideMeter starts at ¥5 for 2.5 km (1.6 mi), then about ¥2/km.Meter starts at ¥5 for 1.6 mi (2.5 km), then about ¥2/km. | ¥15–20 (≈ US$3) |
| City bus ride | ¥1 (≈ under US$1) |
| Museum entry (most halls free; meteorite hall)Waived for over-65s and young children. | ¥70 (≈ US$10) |
| Wen Miao Confucian Temple entry | ¥25 (≈ US$4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter temperatures fall to −25 °C (−13 °F): layers, gloves and a hat are not optional.Winter temperatures fall to −13 °F (−25 °C): layers, gloves and a hat are not optional.
- Watch bags on packed rush-hour buses.
- Some museums close on Mondays and require timed entry: check before you go.
- Taxis outside the railway station may refuse the meter: walk a block and hail one.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 120
- Traffic police
- 122
Pocket card
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Jilin City吉林市
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
请到这个地址To this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance120
- Traffic police122
Embassy
No embassies in Jilin City; most countries have embassies in Beijing and consulates-general in Shenyang or Changchun.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- CGQ airport → Jilin city, high-speed train: about ¥24 (≈ US$4), roughly 30 min
- Taxi CGQ airport → Jilin city: around ¥200 (≈ US$30) with highway fees
- D train Jilin → Changchun: about 45 min
Say or show
- 你好 — Hello (nǐ hǎo)
- 谢谢 — Thank you (xiè xiè)
- 多少钱？ — How much is it? (duō shǎo qián)
- 请打表 — Please use the meter (qǐng dǎ biǎo)
- 洗手间在哪里？ — Where is the toilet? (xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ)
- 我听不懂 — I don't understand (wǒ tīng bù dǒng)
Carry your passport: hotels register foreign guests and some sights ask for ID.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Jilin City. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (down to −25 °C), Jul–Aug (humid, heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CGQ: last high-speed train and coach times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Jiangcheng Square and the riverside, Beishan Park, the station area, Century Square.
- Place pages with verified opening hours and timed-entry rules (Manchu Museum, Jilin City Museum, Navy Barracks Museum, Wen Miao) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter fixtures: ice-rimmed tree dates, Beidahu snow report and cold-weather gear checklist.