Changchun is an agreeable place, but locals admit it's better to live here than to visit. The town is well-planned, with straight boulevards and squares throughout, but it's huge, with its few sights spread far apart. A stroll south from the train station down the main artery, Renmin Dajie, to Renmin Guangchang (People's Square) and then west to Wenhua Guangchang (Culture Square) is a good, but long, introduction to the city.

The notable attraction is the Puppet Emperor's Palace in the east of the city, where the last Chinese emperor, Puyi, was installed as the figurehead  “emperor “ of the puppet state of Manchukuo by the Japanese during their occupation of northeast China. The Changchun Film Studio, the first film factory to be built after the establishment of the People's Republic of China, is also a must, as it is still China's most active production house. The Changchun Film Century City is bigger, newer and more advanced. The attractions here are mainly exhibitions of the art and history of movie making. Another cultural attraction is the World Sculpture Park on the outskirts of Changchun, with a permanent outdoor sculpture exhibition featuring work by artists from all over the world.

There are some outstanding natural attractions and parks around Changchun. Changbai Mountain features a beautiful crater lake set high up in wild scenery close to the North Korean border. Jingyuetan National Forest Park is famous for its fine landscapes and excellent ski resort. Nanhu Park (South Lake Park) is the largest park in Changchun. In midsummer and early autumn of every year there will be lights festivals and other kinds of activities involving folk customs. The cold winter period is the high time for Nanhu Park. Various kinds of activities, especially sledges pulled by dogs or camels, will give you a chance to taste a real winter and feel genuine happiness. Other attractions are Changchun World Landscape Park, Changchun Zoo and Botanical Park, and Shengli Park.