Jilin is the former capital of northeastern China's Jilin Province. It was officially established as a fort city in 1673. Jilin is known as the 'River City', because of the Songhua river that almost entirely surrounds the city.

Jilin is a popular destination for tourists who come in the winter, during the months of January and February, to see the magnificent rime ice (雾凇) on the willow trees along the banks of the Songhua river. The phenomenon is the result of water vapor that rises up from the warm Songhua river (that doesn't freeze in the winter) and meets the cold −20°C (-4°F) night air, causing the crystallisation of water vapour on the tree-branches.

Points of interest
• Beishan Park (North Hill Park) is located in the northwest of Jilin.
• Dragon Pool Mountain Park.
• The Meteorite Museum features the largest stony meteorite of a documented meteorite fall.
• Songhua Lake is located to the southeast of Jilin.
• The old city of Wulajie (乌拉街), or Wulakai is a walled town from the Qing dynasty. It is located in the Longtan District, which is on the east bank of the Sungari River downstream from Jilin's main urban area.

Jilin is in the northeast of China, 920 km northeast of Beijing.

Jilin ©Satbir Singh

Jilin ©Hyory Liu

Jilin ©Alex Blue