Jingshan Park

Jingshan Park's history dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, but its current form was largely shaped during the Ming Dynasty. The central feature, Jingshan Hill, is an artificial mound constructed from the earth excavated to create the moats of the Forbidden City and the surrounding canals. This massive engineering feat was completed during the reign of the Yongle Emperor to ensure the imperial palace adhered to traditional Feng Shui principles, which dictated that a residence should be protected by a hill to the north. Throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties, the park served as a private imperial garden and a place of spiritual significance. It was known as Coal Hill, or Meishan, based on a popular legend that the emperors stored a secret supply of coal at the base of the hill to provide fuel during a siege. The hill's five peaks are each topped with a pavilion, the most famous being the Wanchun Pavilion, which marks the exact center point of historical Beijing's north-south axis. The park is also the site of a significant turning point in Chinese history. In 1644, as rebel forces led by Li Zicheng breached the city gates, the last Ming ruler, the Chongzhen Emperor, fled the Forbidden City and committed suicide by hanging himself from a scholar tree on the eastern slope of Jingshan. Today, the park is a vibrant public space where locals gather for morning exercises and tourists flock to witness the unparalleled panoramic views of the Forbidden City’s golden rooftops.