Museum of the Imperial Palace of Manchukuo

Historical Overview

The palace’s story begins in 1932, when Japan installed Puyi as emperor of the puppet state Manchukuo (満州国). Over 13 years, the regime enacted brutal policies: forced labor, cultural suppression, and experiments with biological warfare at Unit 731. The palace became a theater of propaganda, hosting lavish ceremonies to legitimize occupation. After Japan’s surrender in 1945, Puyi was arrested here, and the site served as a military barracks under the Soviet Red Army. In 1962, it opened as a museum, chronicling the trauma of colonialism and the resistance of local communities.

Structural Layout

The complex blends Chinese, Japanese, and European architectural styles, reflecting its fractured identity:

Jixi Hall (缉熙楼): Puyi’s private residence, featuring a Western-style study and a Japanese-style tea room.

Tongde Hall (同德殿): The ceremonial center, with a gilded throne room and a hidden bomb shelter.

East Garden (东御花园): A Japanese-style landscape with ponds, pavilions, and a "Manchukuo National Anthem" monument.

Western Compound (西御花园): A traditional Chinese garden with a rockery and pavilion, symbolizing Puyi’s nostalgia for imperial power.

Supporting Buildings: The Secretariat (勤民楼), Guardhouse (怀远楼), and Underground Prison Cells used for interrogating resistance fighters.

Major Attractions

Jixi Hall: Puyi’s bedroom, with a Japanese-made safe containing his personal diaries and letters to the Emperor Hirohito.

Tongde Hall Throne Room: A reconstruction of Puyi’s 1934 coronation, featuring a 12-foot-tall "Manchukuo Dragon Throne."

Unit 731 Exhibition Hall: Graphic displays of medical experiments on prisoners, including frostbite tests and live dissections.

Underground Tunnels: A labyrinth connecting the palace to a railway station, used to smuggle Japanese officers and war criminals.

Puyi’s Private Cinema: A screening room where he watched Hollywood films and propaganda reels.

Sino-Japanese War Memorial Hall: A tribute to local heroes, including Yang Jingyu, a guerrilla leader executed by the Japanese.

"Manchukuo" Cultural Relics Gallery: Artifacts like the "Manchukuo National Flag," imperial seals, and ration coupons.

Suggested Itineraries

Classic Route (2–3 Hours):

Jixi Hall → Tongde Hall Throne Room → East Garden → Sino-Japanese War Memorial Hall

Highlights: Puyi’s daily life and the regime’s propaganda tactics.

Extended Route (4–5 Hours):

Add: Unit 731 Exhibition Hall, Underground Tunnels, and Puyi’s Cinema.

Highlights: Dark tourism insights and the regime’s crimes against humanity.

Comprehensive Route (Full Day):

Include all sites, plus a guided tour of the Changchun Film Studio (where Manchukuo-era films were produced).

Highlights: Immersive understanding of cultural manipulation under occupation.

Ticket Purchase 

General Admission: ¥70 (peak season), ¥50 (off-season).

Combined Ticket (with Unit 731 Site): ¥120.

Concessions: ¥35 (students/seniors), free for children under 1.3m and veterans.

Online Booking: Available via the official website or WeChat (required for weekends).

Group Tours: Mandatory for foreign visitors (¥200/group for English-speaking guides).

Transportation

Subway: Line 2 to Hongqi Street Station (Exit B), then a 10-minute walk.

Bus: Routes 264, 304, or 318 to Manchukuo Palace Stop.

Taxi: Direct to the palace entrance (¥20 from downtown Changchun).

Parking: Free for private vehicles.

Peak Season: April–October (milder weather, outdoor gardens accessible).

Avoid: Mid-July–August (humid, mosquito-heavy) and Chinese National Day (Oct 1–7, overcrowded).

Essentials:

Bring ID for security checks (especially for the Unit 731 exhibit).

Wear dark clothing to respect the solemnity of the memorial halls.

Photography allowed (no flash in tunnels or prison cells).

Prohibited: Backpacks larger than A4 size, selfie sticks, and political slogans.

Respectful Behavior: Silence in memorial areas; avoid laughing or joking near war relics.