Changchun is the capital of Jilin province in northeast China, a planned railway-and-capital city best known as China's 'City of Automobiles' and for the former imperial palace of Puyi, the last Qing emperor, who ruled the Japanese-controlled state of Manchukuo from here. Wide boulevards, the Jingyuetan forest lake, China's oldest film studio and long, dry winters make it a quieter, cheaper alternative to Harbin and Shenyang.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Dingfengzhen pastries (鼎丰真)
Jilin-style mooncakes, sachima and fried sweet dough from a heritage bakery founded in 1911
Price: ¥20-80 (~$3-12)
Where: Dingfengzhen branches on Chongqing Road and Sima Road
Smoked and braised meats (熏酱肉)
Zhenbutong's smoked pork and Fuyide's braised chicken are popular take-away items
Price: ¥30-100 (~$4-15)
Where: Zhenbutong in Yongchun Commercial City; Fuyide on Chongqing Road
Jilin ginseng (人参)
Changbai Mountain ginseng products from Jilin province; check certification and weight before buying
Price: ¥100-2,000 (~$15-299)
Where: Department stores and licensed pharmacies; avoid street sellers
Dried mushrooms and black fungus (干菇、木耳)
Dongbei forest produce sold dried, light and easy to pack
Price: ¥30-120 (~$4-18)
Where: Supermarkets and department-store food halls
Winter gear (冬装)
Down jackets, hats, gloves and thermal underwear at wholesale-market prices
Price: ¥50-800 (~$7-119)
Where: Zhongdong Wholesale Market, Ouya Marketplace and mall department stores
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Charter Shopping Center (卓展购物中心)
Large central mall (about 133,000 sq m) with department store, restaurants and international brands
Where: Chongqing Road, People's Square
Hours: Brand stores inside typically 10:00-21:00
Eurasia Mall (欧亚商都)
Major department store with luxury and mid-range brands and cosmetics
Where: Hongqi Street / Gongnong Road
Hours: Brand stores inside typically 10:00-22:00
Changchun MixC (长春万象城)
Upscale mall with international brands and a food hall
Where: Renmin Street
Hongqi Street Wanda Plaza (红旗街万达广场)
Mid-range chain stores, cinema and family restaurants
Where: Hongqi Street, Chaoyang District
Xintiandi Shopping Park (新天地购物公园)
Mid-range mall with restaurants, a Laochang spring-pancake branch and chain stores
Where: Yatai Street, Nanguan District
Zheyoushan (这有山)
Indoor 'mountain-city' style creative commercial district with snacks and photo corners
Where: Hongqi Street west service road
Ouya Marketplace (欧亚卖场)
Very large retail and wholesale complex (opened 2000) for clothing, household goods and electronics
Where: Kaiyun Street, Chaoyang District
Zhongdong Wholesale Market (中东大市场)
Clothing, footwear and general wholesale market with prices below the malls
Where: Convention Center area, Nanguan District
Guilin Road Commercial Street (桂林路商业街)
Student-oriented street of clothing shops, cafes and snack stalls
Where: Guilin Road, Chaoyang District
Hours: Open all day; shops typically 10:00-21:00
Dingfengzhen bakery shops (鼎丰真)
Heritage Jilin pastry maker founded in 1911; mooncakes, sachima and fried sweet dough
Where: Chongqing Road and Sima Road
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Chongqing Road (重庆路)
Charter Shopping Center and department stores near People's Square, with chain restaurants and cinemas
Best for: Brands, department stores and winter indoor shopping
Hongqi Street (红旗街)
Wanda Plaza, Eurasia Mall and the Zheyoushan creative mall within a short walk
Best for: Mall browsing, dining and clothing
Guilin Road (桂林路)
Small clothing shops, cafes and the Guilin Hutong food street
Best for: Cheap clothing, snacks and casual shopping
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is normal only at wholesale markets such as Zhongdong and Ouya; malls and department stores have fixed prices
At markets, start at about 50% of the asking price and settle at 60-70%
Compare two stalls before buying ginseng or health products, and keep the receipt
Pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay; carry some cash for small stalls
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Shops typically open at 10:00 and close between 21:00 and 22:00, Prices in malls are fixed and tipping is not expected