Jingyue Lake
Nanguan District, Changchun, China
Offering fresh forest air and reflecting waters in summer, the Jingyue Lake reservoir turns into a Chinese winter wonderland once the waters freeze over, with ice skating, sleigh rides, snow sculptures, and more. The centerpiece of Jingyue Lake National Forest Park, it’s a great way to get out into nature from Changchun.
The basics
There’s a small charge to enter Jingyue Lake National Forest Park. Once inside, you’ll experience Jingyue Lake differently according to the seasons, with a bathing beach, bikes for rent in summer, and colorful foliage come fall. But Jilin’s icy winter provides the highlight, with a festival of snow sculptures and husky sleigh rides, reindeer sleigh rides, ice skating, ice bikes, and more once the lake freezes. The area has a range of animal attractions, including a deer park.
Things to know before you go
Jingyue Lake is an excellent choice for families and snow fans in general.
Temperatures can drop to -5° F (-20° C) in winter, so if sleigh rides are on your agenda, wrap up warm. You’ll need gloves, boots, thick socks, a heavy coat, a hat that protects your ears, and plenty of layers.
A boardwalk gives wheelchair users and stroller sporters access to some lake areas, but snow season can prove tricky.
How to get there
Jingyue Lake is about a 10-mile (15-kilometer) drive east of downtown Changchun. The easiest way to get there is to ride the metro to Jingyue Park (Line 3).
When to get there
Jingyue Lake has something to offer all year round, but most overseas visitors will find it most exciting during the snow season, which generally runs from late December through January and February. During this time, the frozen lake hosts cross-country ski races, winter sports, and ice sculptures.
Skiing in Jilin
Two metro stops from Jingyue Park is the ski resort area, one of several ski resorts in Jilin province. Most travelers will likely find the experience disappointing, as the low, pocket-sized slopes cater to inexperienced locals visiting from Changchun for a day—or even just a few hours. Chinese ski resorts are generally much smaller and have much less elevation range than resorts in Europe, America, or Japan. But Beidahu Ski Resort offers the steepest drops in Jilin, while Lake Songhua Ski and Changbai Mountain Ski Area have a reasonable amount of piste by Chinese standards.
Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas
Get Ideas from the Pros
As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.
Build and Research Your Options
Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.
Book Everything in One Place
From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!