Jingshan Park
Jingshan Park, opposite the northern gate of the Forbidden City, was once an imperial garden during the Ming and Qing Dynasties( 1368-1911) and has not opened to the public until 1928. You can see the view of the Imperial Palace from the mountain here.
The artificial hill with 5 peaks was built with earth from digging the moat of the Imperial Palace. 5 pavilions with 5 bronze Buddhas were built on each peak in 1751 under emperor Qianlong, however, 4 of the Buddhas were removed by the troops of the Allied Expeditionary Force in 1900.
By the north upper gate is the Beautiful View Pavilion (qiwanglou) where emperors would pay their respects at an altar to Confucius. Now, it serves as a cultural exhibition venue for paintings, calligraphy, and porcelain.
The Pavilion of Everlasting Spring (wanchun) on top of the middle hill, used to be the highest point in the city and provides beautiful views of the center of Beijing, the northern district with the Drum and Bell Towers, and the Imperial Palace.
On the eastern slope is the scholar tree where the last Ming emperor Chongzhen (1628-1644), committed suicide after rebels broke into the Forbidden City. On the northern part of the hill is the Hall of Imperial Longevity (shouhuang), which has been transformed into the Beijing Children's Palace where youngsters can enjoy daily extracurricular activities in dancing, singing, music, and art.
Location: No. 44, Jingshan West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
How to Get There?
1. To the East Gate: Take bus nos. 111, 124, or 210 and get off at Jingshan Dongmen station.
2. To the South Gate: Take bus nos. 101, 103, 109, 124, 202, 211, 609, 619, or 685 and get off at Gugong station.
3. To the West Gate: Take bus nos. 5 or 609 and get off at Xibanqiao station.
Ticket Price: RMB 2 per person
Opening Hours: 6:30-21:00 from April to October, 6:30-20:00 from November to March.
More Tips:
1. The best time to visit Jingshan Park is from April to November.
2. Be on your guard against pickpockets.
3. There are barriers to free access on the east gate, west gate, and south gate. There are no barriers to free access on the hill so visitors cannot reach the pavilions on hills.