Plan at a glance
Historic buildings along one street
Xinmin Street runs about 1,445 m from Jiefang Avenue in the north to Xinmin Square in the south. From the public sidewalk, you can see the former sites of the Ministry of Military Affairs, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Transport, and State Council. The buildings are still used by hospitals, universities, and other organizations; the street-facing exteriors are free to view.
A quick look at the State Council building takes about 30 minutes; walking the full street takes about 1.5–2 hours. Allow more time if you have a reservation for an exhibition or plan a separate visit to the former Central Bank headquarters at People’s Square.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
Choose your visit
Distinguish the State Council from the Eight Ministries
The “Eight Ministries” refers to eight ministerial-level bodies in Manchukuo. The State Council was the central government body overseeing them, so it was a separate institution. Four former ministry sites are along Xinmin Street: Military Affairs, Justice, Economic Affairs, and Transport. The other former sites are on different streets.
See how the buildings are used today
The former Ministry of Military Affairs is now Jilin University First Hospital. The former State Council, Economic Affairs, Justice, and Transport buildings remain in educational, medical, or office use. Non-public work areas at hospitals, universities, and similar institutions are closed to visitors.
The former State Council building is at No. 126 Xinmin Street, near Jiefang Avenue. Its fifth floor previously hosted an indoor special exhibition; check the official “Changchun History and Culture Museum” channel for any new opening dates and visitor arrangements.
Related buildings at either end and beyond the street
Near Xinmin Square at the southern end is the former Judicial Complex (综合法衙旧址), at No. 108 Ziyou Avenue. The Geological Palace at Cultural Square in the north dates to the 1950s and is a separate building from the former Manchukuo government offices.
The former headquarters of the Manchukuo Central Bank at People’s Square has a separate exhibition on financial history. It is outside the Xinmin Street walking route. A 2025 opening notice listed free admission, no reservation for individual visitors, and hours of 08:30–16:30; check current arrangements before going.
This walk suits visitors interested in Changchun’s modern history, urban planning, and architecture, as well as those looking for a city-center walk. Hospitals and universities are still active along the route; stop and take photos in public areas without blocking entrances.
For a separate visit to palace buildings and interiors, with its own entrance and ticket, see Manchukuo Imperial Palace Museum.
Build your day
About 30 minutes for the State Council exterior
From Cultural Square Station on Rail Transit Line 2, walk to the junction of Xinmin Street and Jiefang Avenue. View the main façade, tower, and roof details from the public sidewalk beside the former State Council building. After about 30 minutes, return to the station the way you came. If a new indoor exhibition session is announced, reserve it separately through the official channel.
The 1.5–2-hour Xinmin Street main route
Start at the southern end near Xinmin Square. First view the former Judicial Complex, then walk north along Xinmin Street. Pass the former Ministry of Transport, then view the former Economic Affairs and Justice buildings along the next stretch, followed by the former Military Affairs and State Council buildings. Finish at Cultural Square and Line 2’s Cultural Square Station. The full walk is about 1,445 m and takes roughly 1.5–2 hours with stops.
This is a one-way route with different start and end points. If you are using public transport, leave from Cultural Square Station; connect to the southern end by bus from a nearby stop.
A 3–4-hour route with exhibition visits
If the former Judicial Complex at the southern end is open and you have a reservation, enter at your time slot, then walk north past the former Transport, Economic Affairs, Justice, and Military Affairs buildings. If the former State Council building is also open for indoor visits, enter at your reserved time before continuing to Cultural Square. If only the former State Council building is open, still start at the southern end and schedule entry after passing the former Military Affairs building, avoiding a full-length return walk. The former Central Bank headquarters at People’s Square is outside the district and requires a separate transfer; check current opening and reservation arrangements. Allow extra time if visiting more than one exhibition.
Get there
Metro and buses
Cultural Square Station on Changchun Rail Transit Line 2 is at the junction of Xinmin Street and Jiefang Avenue, making it a useful northern start or finish. There is no Line 3 station at the southern end near Xinmin Square. Buses serving the southern end include stops at Xinmin Square (East/North Entrance) (新民广场东口/北口); routes 227 and 228 pass nearby. Xinmin Street Bus Stop (新民大街站) also serves the street.
Driving and walking
There is no single public car park serving the full route. If driving, check for a public parking option first, then walk from one end of the street. Public transport works better for this one-way visit.
Know before you go
Indoor exhibitions need separate planning
Indoor exhibitions at the former State Council, former Ministry of Justice, and former Judicial Complex have opened in the past, using real-name reservations and timed entry. Check the official “Changchun History and Culture Museum” channel for any new sessions. When no sessions are open, you can still view the buildings from the public sidewalk along Xinmin Street.
Walking and photography areas
The walk from Xinmin Square to Cultural Square is about 1.45 km and follows public pedestrian areas. Do not enter hospital or university grounds to take photos; follow the exhibition hall’s rules for indoor photography. The “Three Halls” exhibition has no accessible route, so wheelchair users should not book indoor entry. Check whether the street-level route suits your needs before setting out.
Traffic changes for events
Festivals may temporarily close intersections and change bus routes; Xinmin Street has announced pedestrian access arrangements for specific event dates. Check the day’s traffic notice before traveling on an event day. On an ordinary day, you do not need to pass through Xinmin Square when starting from Cultural Square Station; the two squares are separate ends of the route.