Jingshan Park

Introducing Jingshan Park
Jingshan is a small hill located behind the Forbidden City, which once served as the emperor’s imperial garden. Standing at the height of 51 meters in the middle of Beijing’s north-south axis and facing the Forbidden City, Jingshan offers a full view of Beijing, including the Drum and Bell Tower and the white pagoda of Beihai park.

Jingshan Park Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Jingshan Gongyuan 景山公园
• Best Time to Visit: All year around
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, Chinese Culture and History, Hiking
• Opening Hours: 06:30-21:00 Apr. to Oct.; 06:30-20:00 Nov. to Mar.
• Entrance Fee: ¥2/person; ¥10/person for flower fair duration
• Address: No.44 Jingshan West Street, Xicheng District, Beijing

What to expect at Jingshan Park

As early as in the Liao Dynasty, earth was piled here to form a hill; in the Jin Dynasty, the place was designated as an imperial garden of the palace; in the Yuan Dynasty, it became a palace garden of the imperial city, named Qingshan Hill; in the Ming Dynasty, it was named the Wansui (longevity) Hill; in the 12th year of the reign of Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty (1655), it was later renamed Jingshan Hill. Then massive construction was carried out during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1749-1751) and projects such as Shouhuang Hall, Qiwang Tower, Guanmiao Pavilion, Zhoushang Pavilion, Wanchun Pavilion, Jifang Pavilion and Fulan Pavilion were constructed. Jingshan Park is a beautiful and unique imperial garden, and was the place where the emperors appreciated flowers, shot arrows, drank and feasted, and climbed the hill to view scenery.

In 1949 after the liberation of Beijing, the people’s government made a comprehensive renovation of Jingshan Park, repairing and maintaining the ancient architecture, rebuilding hill roads and park roads, planting trees and flowers, and adding service facilities, making this place a hot attraction for Chinese and foreign visitors. In 1957, Jingshan Park was named a major historic site under provincial protection, in 2001, Jingshan Park was announced as a major historic site under national protection, and in 2002, Jingshan Park was rated an AAAA scenic area.

Apart from its flowers and views, Jingshan Park is also remembered for a Chinese scholar tree that used to grow on the eastern slope of the hill. It was from this tree that the last emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Chongzhen, hung himself. The Emperor Chongzhen took shelter in the park in 1644, when Li Zicheng took Beijing for the Manchu who were to found the Qing Dynasty. Having shamed his ancestors by his defeat, Chongzhen committed suicide by hanging himself on the Chinese scholar tree. The tree no longer survives as it was destroyed in subsequent upheavals.

Jingshan Park is a park for locals nowadays. Visitors will have a chance to see local people’s daily life such as practicing Taichi, singing and dancing in the park.

How to get to Jingshan Park
• To the South Gate: Take bus No. 58, 101, 103, 109, 124, 128, Sightseeing Line 1 or 2 and get off at Forbidden City Station.
• To the East Gate: Take bus No. 58, 111, 124 and get off at Jingshan Dongmen Station.
• To the West Gate: Take bus No. 5, 58 and get off at Xibanqiao Station.

Additional travel advice on Jingshan Park
• Rental services of wheelchair, baby carriage and umbrella are available at the park.
• A peony fair and tulip fair are held in the park every year, usually from April to May.