Jilin City: A Millennium of Mutual Gaze Between Rime and the Rhythm of Songjiang Waters A Northern Pearl Where River and City Coexist As the second largest city in Jilin Province, Jilin City

🌟 Jilin City: A Millennium of Mutual Gaze Between Rime and the Rhythm of Songjiang Waters 📜 A Northern Pearl Where River and City Coexist As the second largest city in Jilin Province, Jilin City features a unique "river-city integration" pattern. The Songhua River flows through the city. Three thousand years ago, this area was the heartland of the Buyeo Kingdom; during the Qing Kangxi era, it was named "Jilin Wula" (meaning a riverside city) and became an important shipbuilding base and water transport hub in Northeast China. The city’s layout, nestled between mountains and water, creates a dynamic three-dimensional painting where modern architecture and traditional Chinese charm intertwine along the riverbank. 🏯 Historical Imprints in a River Poem and Painting 1️⃣ Jilin Confucian Temple Address: No. 2 Nanchang Road, Chuanying District, Jilin City On the right bank of the Songhua River, within the orange-red walls, stands a building complex from the seventh year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty (1742), one of the most complete Confucian temples remaining in Northeast China. The "dragon’s mouth swallowing the sun" sculpture on the roof ridge of the Dacheng Hall holds the secret of Manchu-Han cultural fusion. On rainy days, passing through the Lingxing Gate, the blue brick pavement reflects the clouds, as if time travelers from the imperial examination era are treading here. 2️⃣ Beishan Ancient Temple Complex Address: Beishan Park, Chuanying District, Jilin City Built starting in the Kangxi era, more than ten temples including the Guandi Temple, Medicine King Temple, and Jade Emperor Pavilion are scattered along the dragon ridge at 269 meters elevation on Beishan Mountain. On a clear day, climbing to the top at the Lanshan Pavilion, you can see both the modern skyline of the river city and the flying eaves of Qing Dynasty opera houses — this striking juxtaposition of time and space is the essence of Jilin’s "mountain and water cultural corridor." 🌊 The Triple Variations of the Songhua River ▪️ Morning Mist Melody On winter mornings, at -25°C, the mist rising from the river condenses into rime on the branches, creating a ten-mile stretch along the river that looks like "thousands of pear blossoms blooming." The Songjiang Middle Road viewing platform is recommended to watch sanitation workers sweeping snow paths before sunrise, awakening the city even earlier than the rime. ▪️ Longtan Rain and Shine The "water prison" and "dry prison" at Longtan Mountain Ruins Park are the only remaining relics of the ancient Goguryeo city. On rainy days, climbing the mountain, the moss-covered ancient city walls harmonize with the sound of riverboats’ whistles below, truly embodying the phrase "a river of mist and water reflects the clear haze." ▪️ Night Sailing Sparks Take a night boat tour on the Songhua River (peak season around 7:00-9:00 PM). When the blue lights of Jifeng Bridge and the golden spotlights on the cathedral spire dance together on the river, you suddenly understand what old Jilin locals mean when they say "the mountain is the skeleton, the water is the bloodline." The beauty of this city is hidden in the ice cracks swirling at the bends of the Songhua River, in raindrops sliding off the glazed tiles of the Confucian Temple, and in the myriad lights that glow with the evening drum sounds on Beishan. When you come to Jilin, remember to bring two lenses: a wide-angle to capture the poetic mountains and waters, and a macro to see the textures of history.