Jingshan Park

Photo by flickr user beggs

Facing the north gate of the Forbidden City, this huge park is built on a hill with five peaks which was built up using the earth from the excavated moats of the Imperial compound. The highest is the middle one, topped by the Ten Thousand Spring Pavilion. This peak is also the highest point in Beijing and very close to the city’s central point.

If you walk up to the top of the hill you get a great view over into the walls of the Forbidden City – which must have been a far stranger thing when the City was off limits to the rest of Beijing. Because of the views in for most of the park’s history it’s been part of the Imperial complex. Any remaining fruit trees and several of the pavilion and pagodas in the park were first built for the enjoyment of the Royal family – but most of the buildings were renovated in the 1940’s and 50’s so they’re not quite how the visiting royals on their hunting parties or picnics would have found them.

These days the park is popular with the older generations who get out and about here gathering to play chess or make music.

Written by  World Reviewer Staff.

Comments, reviews and questions by other travellers

There are no posts. Why not be the first to have your say?