Between 1931-1945, the Japanese occupied Manchuria. Changchun was the capital of their new state, which they named Manchukuo. Puyi, the last emperor of China, was installed as their puppet emperor and lived in Changchun until the end of World War II. The imperial palace especially built for him by the Japanese has become a museum.

Changchun Film Studio was established in 1946 and is proud of its role as the cradle of film making in New China. Films are still produced at Changchun and tours of the studios and sets can be arranged. Changchun is also known as the "motor city" of China, as the largest automobile factory is located here. Essentially an industrial city, Changchun broad tree lined streets provide shade and green in the city center.