Jingshan Park

Jingshan is a hill of about forty-five metres raised from earth excavated when the Forbidden City's moat was dug in the fifteenth century, placed to shelter the palace from northern winds according to feng shui principles. From the Wanchun Pavilion at its summit, the entire Forbidden City is laid out below in a single frame of golden roofs receding south, the view that appears in most photographs of the palace complex as a whole. The park's other note is grim: the last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, hanged himself on this hill in 1644 as rebel forces entered the city, and a tree marks the spot. Locals use the park for morning exercise, singing and dancing.

History

Jingshan's history reaches back to the Liao and Jin dynasties, but the 45.7-metre hill was raised in the Yongle era of the Ming entirely from the earth dug out for the moats of the palace and nearby canals, moved by hand and by animals. Its five peaks each carry a pavilion and mark the old north-south axis of the city, and it was placed by feng shui to shield the palace from the cold north wind; once a private imperial garden, the grounds opened to the public in 1928 (Wikipedia, Jingshan Park).

Highlights

• The summit view - the Forbidden City's roofs seen whole from Wanchun Pavilion.
• The Chongzhen tree - the marked site of the last Ming emperor's death.
• The morning activity - singing groups, dancers and exercisers in the park.
• The pavilions - five hilltop pavilions along the ridge.

When to go

April to May and September to October for the clearest air; Beijing's pollution can flatten the view badly at any time. Sunset is popular and crowded on the summit. Early morning gives both clear air and local life.

Practical notes

The summit pavilion is small and crowded, particularly at sunset, with queues for the best viewpoint. Air quality determines whether the view is spectacular or grey. The climb is short but steep.

Nearby

The Forbidden City is directly south; Beihai Park lies west.

Key facts