Influencers explore Jilin on the "Perceive Happiness China Tour"

More than 30 domestic and international influencers concluded their weeklong "Perceiving Happiness China Tour" in Jilin province on Oct 18, after a journey through the province's evolving landscape of innovation, ecology and culture.

Organized by the State Council Information Office, the trip offered participants a firsthand look at the vitality of China's revitalized Northeast, with stops in Changchun, Songyuan, Liaoyuan, Ji'an and Baishan.

In Changchun, the capital city known as the cradle of China's auto and film industries, participants began with visits to Jilin University's Geological Museum and the Huang Danian Memorial Hall, learning how scientific excellence and national spirit continue to inspire the next generation.

At Jiefang J7 Whole Vehicle Intelligent Factory and China FAW Group NBD, they witnessed cutting-edge production lines and digital technologies driving the province's transformation from traditional manufacturing to smart mobility. The day ended with a stroll through Xinmin Street, where renovated century-old buildings and art café have infused new energy into the city's historic core.

The journey continued in Songyuan, a hub of ethnic diversity and ecological development. In Qian Gorlos Mongolian autonomous county, participants joined hands-on intangible cultural heritage workshops, from traditional embroidery to Mongolian dance, and attended a local performance celebrating cultural coexistence in China's heartland. This was followed by a tour of Chagan Lake, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the country, renowned for its winter fishing tradition.

In Liaoyuan, visits to the WWII Senior Allied Prisoners of War Camp Site Exhibition Center and the Miner's Cemetery Exhibition Hall revealed the hardships endured under Japanese wartime occupation and the resilience of Chinese workers.

Moving south to Ji'an, known for its rich Koguryo heritage, the influencers explored Ji'an's morning market (one of the biggest in its kind in China), the Ji'an Museum, the ruins of the Wandu Mountain City, and the Haotai King's Stele, which together illustrate centuries of cultural continuity along the Yalu River. A visit to local ginseng factories and museums introduced participants to Jilin's world-famous ginseng industry, where ancient herbal traditions meet modern biotechnology.

The final leg in Baishan brought the group to the Changbai Mountain scenic area, where they marveled at the breathtaking Tianchi Lake, Changbai Waterfall and volcanic hot springs — a living testament to the notion that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets. They also visited the Enduli Business and Tourism Community, observing how the province is cultivating a thriving night economy blending nature, leisure and innovation.

The recently opened Shenyang–Changbai section of the Shenyang–Jiamusi high-speed railway, reducing travel between Beijing and Changbai Mountain to just 4 hours and 33 minutes, has injected new momentum into the region's tourism and connectivity.

From industrial heritage to natural grandeur, Jilin's transformation impressed visitors as a powerful example of China's pursuit of high-quality growth. "You can see progress everywhere — in the people's smiles, in the air, in the new energy," one influencer remarked, calling the trip "a journey through both history and hope".