Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | Part of the second-batch National Park of China “Eight Ministries–Jingyue Lake” AAAAA tourist attraction |
| Province | Jilin |
| Location | Changchun, Jilin |
| Latitude, longitude | 43.8, 125.5 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Historic buildings |
| Area | 150 km² |
| Nearby cities | Changchun |
| Nearby sites | Jingyue Lake 16km, Songhua Lake 123km, Mukden Palace, Shenyang 276km, Jingpo Lake 288km, Heaven Lake of Changbai Mountain 308km Search nearby |
| Themes | Culture, Lake, Forest, Building, City, Palace, Museum, Modern-era architecture |
The Eight Ministries
The “Eight Ministries” in central Changchun are the historic buildings of the puppet state of Manchukuo: the palace of the puppet emperor, the State Council and its eight ministries.
The “Eight Ministries” were the Manchukuo State Council's ministries of public security (military), justice, economy, transport, agriculture, education, foreign affairs and welfare, mostly along Xinmin Street.
The agriculture and education ministry buildings were demolished in 1998 and 2002; the other six were listed with the former imperial palace as national key cultural relic sites in 2013.
It is part of the Eight Ministries–Jingyue Lake scenic area, in the second batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 1988.
Travel tips
Getting there: both sites are in Changchun. The Puppet Imperial Palace and the former eight ministries site are in the city centre, reached by bus or metro; Jingyuetan is in the southeast suburbs, served by light rail and buses. Changchun Longjia Airport and Changchun station are the main entry points.
Puppet Imperial Palace: it is now a museum. You see the palace buildings and exhibitions, and half a day is enough.
Former ministry buildings: they lie along Xinmin Street, several old buildings strung along the road, now used by hospitals, schools and other organisations. Most can only be seen from outside.
Jingyuetan: forest paths run around the lake for walking or cycling, and a full circuit takes half a day. The forest around the lake is one of the larger plantation forests in China.
Winter: Jingyuetan offers snow activities and good snow scenery, but the temperature is very low, so bring warm clothing.
Time: the palace and the ministry sites take a day, and Jingyuetan a second day.
Season: summer has the best vegetation and is cool in the woods, good for forest paths. Autumn leaves change colour, and winter has heavy snow.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Yongling Tomb of the Qing 244km, Fuling Tomb of the Qing 266km, Mukden Palace, Shenyang 276km, Wunv Shancheng 283km |
| National parks | Eight Ministries–Jingyue Lake Scenic Area 8km, Songhua Lake 123km, Sun Island 237km |
| AAAAA attractions | Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo 5km, Changchun World Sculpture Park Tourist Area 6km, Changying Century City Tourist Area 16km, Jingyue Lake 16km |
| AAAA attractions | Changying Former Site Museum 2km, Jilin Provincial Natural History Museum 2km, Changchun Zoological and Botanical Park 2km, Confucius Culture Park 4km |
| National key parks | Changchun Shijie Diaosu Park 6km |
| Cities | Changchun 3km, Jilin City 104km |
| Historical sites | Early Buildings of the Changchun Film Studio 2km, Site of the Central Bank of Manchukuo 2km, Former Manchukuo Founding Loyal Spirits Shrine 4km, Site of the Jichang Circuit Intendant's Office 4km |
| National geoparks | Siping National Geopark 109km |
| Nature reserves | Boluo Lake National Nature Reserve 76km |