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Changchun

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Changchun is the capital and largest city of Jilin Province in China.

Changchun 125.32286E 43.87998N
Changchun 125.32286E 43.87998N

It sits on the vast Songliao Plain in Northeast China. The city is a major center for industry and science. Its name means "long spring" in Chinese. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 9,066,906 people. The wider metro area holds over 5 million residents.

Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-3a
Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-3a

Along with cities like Shenyang and Harbin, it is one of the largest in its region.

The history of Changchun began with a small trading post. During the Qing dynasty, the Jiaqing Emperor established a frontier village. In 1800, he named a small village on the Yitong River "Changchun Ting."

Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-3
Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-3

This village focused on trading furs and natural products. As peasants moved from provinces like Shandong and Hebei, the area grew. By 1889, the village was promoted to a city known as "Changchun Fu."

Railways transformed the city in the late 19th century. In May 1898, the first railway station opened in Kuancheng.

The SMR office of Changchun
The SMR office of Changchun

This line was part of the Chinese Eastern Railway built by the Russian Empire. After the Russo-Japanese War, Japan took control of the southern tracks. This created a unique junction between Russian and Japanese rail systems. For a time, the city served as a "break of gauge" point. This meant different types of tracks met here. A major pneumonic plague outbreak also spread through the region via the railway between 1910 and 1911.

Between 1932 and 1945, the city underwent massive changes. The Japanese government established the puppet state of Manchukuo. They renamed Changchun "Hsinking," which means "New Capital."

Emblem of Hsinking, Manchukuo
Emblem of Hsinking, Manchukuo

During this period, the city became a center for rapid industrialization. The Emperor Puyi lived in the Imperial Palace.

Hsinking master plan
Hsinking master plan

While the city saw modern growth, this era was also marked by harsh suppression and forced labor. Many buildings from this colonial era still stand in the city today.

Urban planning in Changchun was very advanced for its time. The Metropolitan Plan of Great Hsinking was influenced by Paris and American design.

Hsinking master plan
Hsinking master plan

Planners used a grid pattern with radial roads and large circles. They divided the city into specific zones. These included residential areas, commerce, factories, and administrative organs. The plan also emphasized extensive tree planting. By 1934, the city was known as the "Forest Capital." This helped create Jingyuetan Park, which is now a massive plantation.

Today, Changchun is famous as China's "City of Automobiles." It is a vital industrial base for the automotive sector. The FAW Group is headquartered here.

FAW Hongqi Audi 100
FAW Hongqi Audi 100

This company is one of the "Big Four" state-owned car manufacturers in China. Because of this importance, some people call the city the "Detroit of China."

Hannover-Messe 2012 by-RaBoe 032
Hannover-Messe 2012 by-RaBoe 032

The city is also a leader in education and research. It is home to Jilin University and Northeast Normal University. These are members of the prestigious Double First-Class Construction program.

Changchun remains a highly significant global city. In 2001, it was named one of China's "National Garden Cities." This was due to its high urban greening rate.

The city also excels in scientific discovery. The Nature Index 2024 ranks Changchun among the top 30 science cities in the world. This shows how the city connects heavy industry with advanced scientific research. From a small trading post to a high-tech hub, Changchun continues to evolve.

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🖼️ Images & Media (21)
File:The SMR office of Changchun.jpg
The SMR office of Changchun.jpg
File:Changchun 1932 - Plan 2.jpg
Changchun 1932 - Plan 2.jpg
File:Emblem of Hsinking, Manchukuo.svg
Emblem of Hsinking, Manchukuo.svg
File:Hsinking master plan.jpg
Hsinking master plan.jpg
File:Manchukuo Railmap en.png
Manchukuo Railmap en.png
File:PLA at the end of the Siege of Changchun.jpg
PLA at the end of the Siege of Changchun.jpg
File:长春南湖·纪念碑广场.jpg
长春南湖·纪念碑广场.jpg
File:Changchun 125.32286E 43.87998N.jpg
Changchun 125.32286E 43.87998N.jpg
File:长春市人民政府大楼2017.jpg
长春市人民政府大楼2017.jpg
File:Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-3.jpg
Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-3.jpg
File:Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-3a.jpg
Txu-oclc-6614368-nk51-3a.jpg
File:FAW Hongqi Audi 100.jpg
FAW Hongqi Audi 100.jpg

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