Event

To add to its splendid natural scenery and innovation-driven industries, many festivals, annual events and traditional rituals are held in Jilin every year.

Chagan Lake Winter Fishing

Winter fishing at Chagan Lake is a delightful tradition for people in northern China.Its traditional methods have attracted many tourists from all parts of the country and even from around the world.

Winter Fishing always starts in December. Skillful fishermen stand on the ice giving directions while horses pull a rope around a capstan to raise and lower the fishing gear.

Differing from other fishing events, Changan Lake Winter Fishing adopts traditional ways to harvest fish which originated in the Liao (916--1125) and Jin dynasties (1115--1234).

The custom has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Jilin province.

The opening ceremony of the event also attracts many people as it is a sacrificial activity integrating folk customs, religions, and culture.

Ginseng culture

Every year, ginseng pickers hold an event at Changbai Mountain on the 16th day of the third month in the lunar calendar to show their respect for Sun Liang, regarded as the first man to pick ginseng in the Changbai area and as a symbol of integrity and diligence.

There are many legends of Sun which over time have led him to be worshipped by local people. The rituals for descendants to show their respect is also a way to pass on the historic ginseng culture in the region.

Ginseng is titled the "King of Herbs" in China. The output of ginseng reached 6,000 tons in Jilin province in 2016, 20 percent of China's total output.

Manchu falconry culture

Falconry culture has been passed down for thousands of years in Northeast China, particularly in Jilin province.

It originated with the ancestors of the Manchu people, the second largest ethnic minority in Jilin province, who used to catch wild raptors and train them as hunting partners.

These days, people still raise and train falcons. But the falcons are no longer hunting partners but are a protected species.

Falcon protection and training has been integrated with the local tourism industry which invites people from around the world to visit the province and experience handling and training the predatory birds.

Changchun International Marathon

Hosted by the Chinese Athletic Association and the Changchun municipal government and organized by the Changchun Sports Administration, Changchun International Marathon is held annually at the Changchun Sports Center.

It has been held in Changchun three times. The event include a full marathon (42.195 kilometers), a half-marathon (21.0975 km), a mini marathon (5 km) and a 10-km run, attracting runners from different countries and regions – including Ethiopia, Kenya, Russia, South Korea, and Congo, as well as 272 cities in China – to participate in the marathon, with ages ranging from 6 to 80.

The track route is carefully designed, passing through Changchun city's main characteristic streets and roads, economic development zones, tourist attractions and landmarks, showing Changchun city's regional culture, tourism resources, economic and social development and results of national fitness, and building a beautiful city landscape. Runners had the chance to experience Changchun's beautiful scenery and learn about the city's development during the run.