The Puppet Emperor's Palace Museum in Changchun: Unraveling History's Mysteries

The Puppet Emperor's Palace Museum bears a unique and heavy history. It is the former palace of Puyi, China's last emperor, during his time as the puppet emperor of the Japanese-controlled Manchukuo. Stepping into this museum is like stepping into a historical vortex, allowing you to touch a turbulent era. Below is a detailed travel guide to help you deeply appreciate the unique charm of this museum. I. Travel Preparations - Documents: Bring your ID card, which is required for ticket purchase and entry. If you have discount certificates such as student IDs or senior citizen cards, bring them along to enjoy corresponding discounts 💰. - Clothing: Changchun has four distinct seasons, so prepare appropriate clothing. Winter is extremely cold, so be sure to bring thick down jackets, thermal pants, snow boots, hats, scarves, and gloves 🧣. For other seasons, choose comfortable outerwear, T-shirts, and pants based on the weather. - Other items: Prepare a power bank to ensure your phone has enough battery for navigation and taking photos. Those who enjoy taking notes can bring a notebook and pen 📓. II. Transportation Guide - Bus 🚌: Many bus routes go directly to the museum, such as routes 264, 225, and 125. Get off at the "Puppet Emperor's Palace" station. Buses are economical, but pay attention to operating hours and routes. - Subway: Take Subway Line 4 and get off at the "Puppet Emperor's Palace" station. Exit from Exit A or B and walk for a few minutes to reach the museum. The subway is convenient and fast, and avoids traffic jams. - Taxi/Ride-hailing: If convenience is your priority, taxis or ride-hailing services can take you directly to the museum entrance. However, you may encounter traffic jams during rush hour, so allow enough time. III. Main Attractions - Jixi Building 👣: The residence of Puyi, Wanrong, and Tan Yuling. The building displays the daily necessities of Puyi and his consorts, recreating the living scene of that time, allowing you to directly experience a glimpse of the life of the last imperial family. - Qinmin Building 🏛️: The place where Puyi held his enthronement ceremony, "accession" ceremony, and handled government affairs. The building displays historical materials and cultural relics from the Manchukuo period, covering politics, economy, culture, and other aspects. It is an important window to understanding the history of Manchukuo. - Tongde Hall 🎇: A palace designed and built for Puyi and his consorts, integrating office, living, and entertainment functions. The architectural style blends Chinese and Japanese elements, and the interior is luxuriously decorated with a piano room, cinema, Japanese room, and other functional areas, showcasing the luxury and sophistication of the time. IV. Activities - Visit exhibitions 🖼️: The museum has several permanent exhibitions, such as "From Emperor to Citizen—The Life of Puyi" and "Never Forget September 18th". Through rich cultural relics, pictures, and multimedia displays, they comprehensively showcase Puyi's turbulent life and the humiliating history of Manchukuo, allowing you to delve into the stories behind the history. - Watch performances 🎭: At specific times, the museum holds historical reenactment performances. Actors in ancient costumes perform Puyi's daily life and historical events, making history come alive and enhancing the fun and experience of the visit. V. Food Recommendations - Northeastern cuisine 🥘: Changchun, as a northeastern city, certainly offers authentic northeastern cuisine. "Iron pot stew" is a must-try, where chicken, ribs, fish, and other ingredients are stewed together with various side dishes in a large iron pot, steaming hot and fragrant. There's also "Guobaorou," crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, sweet and sour, each bite a delight. - Local snacks 🍢: Try Changchun's "grilled cold noodles," where cold noodles are grilled on an iron plate with eggs, sausage, vegetables, and special sauce, offering a rich taste and loved by locals. There's also "Xueyi Dousha," with a crispy outer layer and a soft, sweet bean paste filling, a dessert unique to Northeast China. VI. Nearby Attractions - Changchun World Sculpture Park 🗿: A collection of sculptures from around the world, diverse in style and rich in artistic atmosphere. Here, you can stroll and appreciate sculptural art, experiencing the collision and integration of different cultures. - Jingyuetan National Forest Park 🌳: Known as the "largest artificial forest in Asia," it has high forest coverage and fresh air. You can stroll or cycle by the lake, or climb the viewing platform to overlook the entire scenic area, enjoying the beautiful natural scenery and relaxing. VII. Important Notes - Visiting hours: The museum is open from 9:00 to 16:30 (ticket sales and entry stop at 15:40). It is closed on Mondays (except for legal holidays). Plan your visit accordingly to avoid disappointment. - Keep quiet: Maintain silence during your visit, do not talk loudly, and respect history and other visitors. - Do not touch: Most of the cultural relics in the museum are precious and fragile. Do not touch them to avoid damage. - Photography rules: Photography is prohibited in some exhibition halls. In areas where photography is allowed, turn off the flash to avoid damaging the artifacts.