Jingshan Park

Introduction

Jingshan Park is a beautiful royal garden located across the street from the north gate of the Forbidden City. It covers an area of 57 acres and the park served as a private imperial garden for nearly 700 years and is now open for the public from where you get a bird’s eye view over the Forbidden City and central Beijing City in general. The park is located on Jingshan Hill, originally called Wansui Hill, Meishan Hill and Zhen Hill. The mid summit of the hill is the highest point in Beijing.

During the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) an artificial hill with five peaks was created using the moat excavated from the Imperial Palace. Pavilions were then erected on each peak and five bronze Buddhas were given pride of place in them. Four of the statues were removed by Allied Expeditionary Force troops when they came to Beijing. During the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties the park served as an imperial garden and was properly laid out under the Ming Dynasty. Trees with fruits were planted, pavilions were built and palaces were also set up attracting royal families to relax and have fun in the park. In 1928, it was opened to the public and after 1949, it was face-lifted including paved paths. It is currently one of the 'AAAA' Scenery spots in China and a must-see for tourists in Beijing.

Besides the park has beautiful scenery, but it has a dark past on the eastern side where two stone slabs are located in front of a locust tree. This spot is where the last of the Ming emperors, Chongzhen, and his faithful servant hanged themselves as rebels swarmed at the city walls. Word has it that people had earlier seen a dragon rising into the sky believing that the soul of the emperor had risen to heaven.

Things to see and do on a visit

Qiwang Pavilion

Qiwang Pavilion was originally the place for emperors to worship the memorial tablet of Confucius. Visitors can see the Pavilion surrounded by green cypresses, white marble balustrades and a two-storied pavilion with its golden glazed.

Wanchun Pavilion

Also known as the Ten Thousand Spring Pavilion, Wanchun Pavilion is in the middle of the five summits. It is located at the hill's central point location and is a perfect place to have a bird’s eye view of the city including the dignified Bell and Drum Towers in the north, the magnificent and resplendent Forbidden City in the south and the Beihai Park and Miaoying Temple in the west.

Shouhuang Hall

Located on the northern side of the Jingshan hill is the Shouhuang Hall also known as the Hall of Imperial Longevity that was initially where emperors in the Qing dynasty used to pay homage to their ancestors and some of the emperors' portraits were worshiped there. Towards the east side of Shouhuang Hall is Yongsi Hall; the resting place for the dead bodies of the past emperors and queens.

Scenery

Jingshan Park is home to a charming natural scenery of 1,300 square yards. It has the biggest peony rose garden bearing 200 different peony species in Beijing and they bloom up to 20,000 roses presenting then the most colorful scene in May every year.

Locals 

Local people especially elderly ones can be seen relaxing and practicing their morning tai chi while others dance to the most soothing music.