Jingshan and Park as seen from the North-East corner of the Forbidden City,the former Imperial Palace.
This page was last updated on: June 19, 2008
Introduction to theCoal Hill - Jing Shan and Jingshan Park
Welcome to the Jing Shan Park or
Yingshan Gongyuan (GongjuEn') of Beijing.
The Jingshan Park is one of Beijing's smaller Parks but therefor not Less interesting. On the contrary. It is one of Beijing's many historic locations and within the Park are -among things- a beautiful look-out pavilion overviewing the Palace Museum and a superb flower garden.
In history the Jingshan and Park were a favored dwelling place of the Emperors and an Imperial Pleasure Garden off-limits to the General
- Click to Enlarge -
History of the Coal Hill and Jingshan Park
The Imperial Palace and the Jingshan , together with some other historic sites directly related to Beijing's Imperial History, make up the central and inner parts in the Ancient Imperial Capital's lay-out.
According to Feng Shui tradition, along which's lines the entire Capital and Ming Tombs were Built , bad influences descend from the North.
With the Imperial Palace and North of it Jingshan on the exact North-South Axis of the City , the Jingshan acts to protect the Palace from Evil Spirits.
In fact, the entire Beijing Site has been chosen because of the protecting ring of mountains to the North, the Jundu Mountains ,through which runs the Badaling Pass ( Great Wall of China).
When approaching Jingshan Park from the East along Jingshan QianJie' one can enjoy a great view of the Palaces' corner watch-tower, the 52 meter wide moat and 10 meter high solid wall.
On the other side, on the right, Jingshan, or prospect Hill is clearly visible with its Pagodas.
There are 5 in Total , with the Wanchun Pavilion being the largest one in the middle. Located on top of the Mountain, on the central North-South Axis of both City and Imperial Palace Grounds, the Wanchun Pavilion gives an excellent overview of the Palace Grounds.
During high season tourists flock by along Jingshan Dajie' in groups and rickshaw drivers beg too persistently for attention. At other times its a calm boulevard and a great place to stroll.
The Feng Shui basics have been applied to the entire City Lay-out. So, accordingly this, The Northern Gate of the Imperial Palace, or Gate of Divine Militairy Might, is not the main Entrance to the Palace.
Since all bad influences or bad spirits are said to emenate from the North (how true for the Ming
Dynasty) the Main Gate and entrance to the Imperial Palace is located at the calm South Side of the Complex. As do all traditional Doors and Gates ( Men ) in the whole of China.
When leaving the Gugong or Imperial Palace through its North Gate the impressive Jingshan Park can be viewed in all its magnificence and Glory.
Just when you thought you had seen all the impressive sights.
The Green Hill with its 5 pavilions, makes the visitor, already passing through a huge Gate in Impressive Walls, once more humble.
It is a beautiful scene.
That is, if you are not caught in one of the many tourist booms at China's number 1 monumental location. On busy days and hours, much of the view can be blocked by tourist
So, usually it is a coming and going of people during daytime, except for in the extremely early morning before opening times, or .. in evenings when only lovers stroll beneath the wall, enjoying the romance of the Palace and its lighted towers and some fishermen quietly try their luck at the corner of the moat. Some nights there is music for dancing at the North Gate, bringing locals in for a quickstep or some other fun together.
Photographers can always be found scouring about the Moat, Wall and North Gate, looking for the best images and lighting of the Timeless Palace Museum.
The Entrance to Jingshan Park , Jingshan and its 3 Pagodas overlooking Jingshan QianJie' (Jie' = street) and the North Gate of the Palace Museum.
The Jingshan Park is open to the Public Daily from 6 in the Morning untill 7:30 pm Late. At Night Gates are locked. Entrance used to be special for Foreigners who received a souvenir-quality ticket, however currently all are equal under one price.
View of ShenwuMen, the North Gate of the Forbidden City, from across the Moat.
View of the Coal Hill (Jingshan) and the Main South entrance into the Park from ShenwuMen.
The tourists however will keep flocking, and with them the ever present street-salesmen and women with maps, hats, silk, fake watches of useless quality and the like. You name it, they have it, and otherwise.. well, there is always the rickshaw tour, the Hutong Tour or some other tour to be offered to passers-by that look like out of towners.
Scalpers and peddlers of low quality "souvenirs" are always on standby with the occasional pick-pocket.
Beware !
The 2007 season was crowded as never before ! In 2008 Beijing will Host the Olympic Games adding another 2 million visitors (at least) to the already fully booked Beijing Hotels.
If you are traveling to Beijing this year, be warned and come prepared to be patient !
First view of Jingshan from the North-East corner of the Forbidden City and its Moat, a favored photography spot.
Your Ticket provides a handy overview Map of the not-too-complex Park and Coal Hill Except for a walk over the Hill one can dwell around the Gardens near the East Gate and Guande Hall.
legendary Tree and its breathtakingly magnificient lookout over "The Forbidden City (Gugong)" are now free for you to enter and walk around in.
Keep your souvenir quality Tourist Ticket because it can serve as a handy map on your way to the Top of Prospect Hill.
A Hint of what is to be seen inside : Go through the Gate and find a pleasurable spot at the QiWang Pavilion, now a Tea House of the Truely Chinese Style. Turn right and walk along the base of the Hill past rockeries and flowers to find the historic spot where the last Ming Emperor commited suicide in the face of inevitable defeat. There, around the east gate is a flower garden and much more. Go have a look around !
Coal Hill - Jing Shan and Jingshan Park - Directions
Jingshan Park is easily located once you are in Beijing.
Part of the Dongcheng District of the City, Jingshan is located directly North of The
Public. Today it is bustling Park with many visitors, both local and Foreign.
The Hill is clearly visible from many locations in the City.
It is Jing Shan, or " Prospect Hill " within the Park that gives the Best and most Beautiful View of The Forbidden City. Jingshan Park however has considerably more to offer to its vistors.
A view of Coal Hill from the Eastern approach along Jingshan Dajie'. Due to the popularity of the Palace Museum and the Jingshan view, as well as the tours to the nearby Hutong Lanes, this is now a prime tourist hotspot.
Beijing Cities' Largest and Perhaps most Beautiful Park - Beihai or North Lake.
Located North of the Imperial Palace Museum and due West of Jingshan this very large former Imperial Pleasure Garden is home to evergreen Jade Island, the Yong An Imperial Buddhist Temple Complex and much more.
Discover World Heritage Site BeiHai
Park through 1000's of Photos leading you past most interesting sights, through the Park, over Jade island, through Temples all the way to Bai Ta- the Fabled White Dagoba with the protector God of Beijing.
The scenic Route along the Northern Moat to Shenwu Men - Gate of Divine Might.
busses and the huge crowds passing in and out both Gates.
Most Tourist Busses have now been diverted from the Gate and are no longer allowed to offload and Park on the spot.
A measure taken earlier by the City Government in an attempt to preserve some harmony and order at this spot. This has helped considerably and the massive crowds flowing through are now better regulated.
The Five Main Pavilions as well as the remainder of Jingshan Park were under renovations in (May of) 2006 AD in preparation for the 2008 Season.
View of Jingshan and Forbidden City Watchtower at Dusk.
Beijing Police supervision at Shen Wu Men, Gate of Divine Might. The athmosphere ismore relaxed now that Torubusses have been banned from Parking at the Gate.
Due to its closeness to the former most important building in Beijing, the Imperial Palace, of which Jingshan was an extension during the Ching Dynasty, Jingshan and its Park are surrouned by other historic monuments and places.
First of All, due West of Jingshan lies the Beihai or North Lake Park, another Ching Dynasty pleasure Garden and extension of the Palace and part of the Imperial City. South of the North Lake lie the middle Lakes, also known as ZhongNanHai, the current compound of the High Political Leadership of China and families. Both splendid Lake Areas are visible from the Top of Jingshan. Next should be mentioned the Avenue due East of Jingshan Park. Here, at the end of Jingshan Dajie' at the corner of the Palace Moat, Jingshan Dajie' extends further Eastward (with a turn north) as Wu Sie Dajie'. This Street is also know as the Avenue of the May the 4Th Movement, a Monument to which can be found down the Boulvard adjacent the China (National) Art Gallery.
The North-East Corner Watchtower of the Palace Museum and intersection of Jingshan Dajie' , Nanchizi Dajie' leading South and Wu Si Dajie' Avenue of the May the 4Th, a historic protesting Route of Beijing Students. On December 12Th 1936 ADProtesting Students were massacred here by the KuominTang Nationalist Government Police.
Check for Available Tickets.
Direct Online Booking at KLM
(Royal Dutch Airlines)
The Old Imperial Capital, in fact, followed the same basic architectural lines. There were the outer Ming Dynasty Era Walls encircling Dongcheng and XiCheng, then there was the Imperial City, and within stood the huge Imperial Palace.
It was a City within a City, with inside another small City with a Purple Wall.
That Inner City is now the Palace Museum, but in history it was Forbidden to any non-invites, punishable by Death.
Super-source Book on the Forbidden City by Frances Wood, original Publication by the British Museum in London and Press.
All the Main Facts and Many Details on the Court Procedures and other rare but interesting know-how on the Palace Museum.
