Jingshan Park is located on Jingshan Qianjie, Xicheng District, Beijing, at the midpoint of the Beijing Central Axis. It is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The park covers an area of about 23 hectares, of which the mountain area covers about 19.4 hectares. Jingshan was artificially piled up, with an altitude of 88.35 meters and is one of the commanding heights in the urban area of Beijing. The buildings in the park are built along the mountain, forming the Wanchun Pavilion, Jifang Pavilion, and Fulan Pavilion on the central axis, as well as the Zhoushang Pavilion and Guanmiao Pavilion on the east and west sides, collectively called the "Five-Pavilion Complex." It is an important part of the imperial gardens in the Ming and Qing dynasties, characterized by the integration of central axis viewing, historical relics, and natural landscapes.
History and Culture
The history of Jingshan can be traced back to the Liao and Jin dynasties. At that time, it was a mound outside Beijing. In the Yuan Dynasty, it was incorporated into Dadu City and was called "Green Mountain." During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di moved the capital to Beijing and piled up the soil excavated from the moat of the Forbidden City here, forming five peaks, initially named "Long Live Mountain," which was used as a royal town mountain and a place for recreation.
In the seventeenth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty (1644), Li Zicheng captured Beijing, and Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty hanged himself on a crooked-necked locust tree at the eastern foot of Jingshan, which became a landmark event in the fall of the Ming Dynasty. During the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, Long Live Mountain was renamed "Jingshan," and five pavilions were built on the top of the mountain, respectively enshrining the Five Dhyani Buddhas, forming the current landscape pattern.
In 1928, Jingshan was opened as a park and officially opened to the public. In 1957, Jingshan Park was listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Beijing; in 2001, it was upgraded to a national key cultural relic protection unit. The existing buildings in the park, such as the Shouhuang Hall and the Guande Hall, are important physical materials for studying the imperial sacrifice culture and architectural art of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Main Attractions
Wanchun Pavilion
Located on the main peak of Jingshan, it is the largest of the Five-Pavilion Complex, with an altitude of about 43 meters. The Wanchun Pavilion has a triple-eaved, four-cornered, pyramidal roof, and is covered with yellow glazed tiles. It is the best viewing point on the Beijing Central Axis, from which you can overlook the entire Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the CBD building complex.
Shouhuang Hall
Located at the northern foot of Jingshan, it is the place where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties sacrificed to their ancestors. It was first built in the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. The building complex covers an area of about 21,250 square meters and consists of the main hall, left and right side halls, stele pavilions, and divine kitchens. Inside the hall, there were once portraits and spiritual tablets of the emperors of the Qing Dynasty. It is the most complete imperial ancestor-worshipping building complex in Beijing.
The Place Where Chongzhen Hanged Himself
Located at the eastern foot of Jingshan, Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself here in 1644. The original locust tree has been destroyed, and the existing locust tree was transplanted in 1981. There is a stone tablet beside it engraved with "The Place Where Emperor Sizong of the Ming Dynasty Died for His Country," which is an important historical relic site.
The Night View of Wanchun Pavilion in Jingshan
The park opens for night view tours during specific periods. Under the illumination of the lights of the Wanchun Pavilion, the ancient building complex on the central axis and the modern city lights complement each other, forming a unique visual experience.
Food
Food around the Park
Traditional Beijing Noodles with Soy Bean Paste: There are many old-fashioned noodle restaurants in the alleys near the park, such as "Haiwanju," which offers traditional noodles with soy bean paste, served with eight kinds of ingredients such as cucumbers and bean sprouts, with a rich sauce flavor.
Stewed Sausage and Pig's Liver with Baked Wheaten Cake: "Chenji Stewed Sausage" near Nanluoguxiang is a representative old Beijing snack. Pig intestines and pig lungs are stewed with baked wheaten cakes, and the soup is salty and fragrant.
Palace Pastries: "Fangshan Restaurant" near the South Gate of Jingshan mainly operates palace cuisine and pastries. Pastries such as pea cake and kidney bean roll are exquisitely shaped and moderately sweet.
Roast Duck: "Siji Minfu (Forbidden City Store)" about 1 kilometer away from the park offers crispy-skinned roast duck. The restaurant is adjacent to the moat, with an excellent view.
Tickets
The ticket price is 2 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "微景山" in WeChat to obtain the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
From April 1 to October 31: 6:30 - 21:00 (entry stops at 20:30); from November 1 to March 31 of the following year: 6:30 - 20:00 (entry stops at 19:30). It is closed every Monday (except for legal holidays). The opening hours of the Shouhuang Hall area are 9:00 - 16:30.
Tour Routes
1-hour Express Tour Route: South Gate Entrance → Hiking Trail → Wanchun Pavilion (Viewing) → Jifang Pavilion → Fulan Pavilion → Down the Mountain → East Gate Exit (Suitable for taking pictures and checking in).
2-hour In-depth Tour Route: South Gate Entrance → Take Pictures on Jingshan Qianjie → Hike to Wanchun Pavilion → Visit the Five-Pavilion Complex along the Central Axis in Sequence → Down the Mountain to Shouhuang Hall → Guande Hall → The Place Where Chongzhen Hanged Himself → West Gate Exit (Including Historical Culture and Viewing Experience).
Half-day Cultural Tour Route: South Gate Entrance → Jingshan Park → Panoramic Shooting at Wanchun Pavilion → Cultural Relic Exhibition in Shouhuang Hall → Exit from the West Gate → Walk to Beihai Park (Connecting the Beijing Central Axis Cultural Tour).
Transportation
- Bus: Take buses No. 101, 103, 109, 124 and get off at the "Forbidden City" stop, then walk about 500 meters to the South Gate of Jingshan; take bus No. 5 and get off at the "Jingshan West Street" stop, then walk to the West Gate.
- Subway: Take Line 8 and get off at Shichahai Station, Exit A2, then walk about 1 kilometer; take Line 6 and get off at Beihai North Station, Exit B, then walk about 800 meters.
- Self-driving: Parking spaces around the park are in short supply. It is recommended to park in the parking lots around the Forbidden City (such as Donghuamen and Xihuamen parking lots) and walk there. The parking fee is about 15 yuan per hour.
Must-visit Attractions
- Wanchun Pavilion: The highest point on the Beijing Central Axis, offering a 360-degree view of the Forbidden City and the CBD. The best viewing time is 1 hour after sunrise or 2 hours before sunset.
- Shouhuang Hall: The imperial ancestor-worshipping building complex of the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are exhibitions of Qing court cultural relics inside the hall, and the architectural details reflect the imperial regulations, which is suitable for history enthusiasts.
- The Place Where Chongzhen Hanged Himself: A physical witness of historical events. The stone tablet and the ancient locust tree form a unique cultural landscape and need to be visited in combination with the historical background.
Tour Suggestions
- Enter the park at 6:30 in the morning to avoid the crowd and take pictures of the Forbidden City without people at the Wanchun Pavilion. The best viewing effect is during the red leaf season in autumn (October).
- Bring a portable camera. It is windy on the top of the mountain, so pay attention to keeping warm; the hiking steps are relatively steep, so it is recommended to wear non-slip shoes.
- Combine the itinerary of the Forbidden City. You can exit from the North Gate (Shenwu Gate) of the Forbidden City and walk for 5 minutes to the South Gate of Jingshan to form a central axis tour loop.
- The Shouhuang Hall requires a separate ticket purchase. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance on the public account to avoid queuing on the spot.
Precautions
- Smoking and spitting are prohibited in the park. Take good care of cultural relics and historic sites and do not carve on the buildings.
- There are many tourists around the Wanchun Pavilion. Pay attention to safety when taking pictures and avoid crowded pushing.
- The mountain road is prone to icing in winter. It is recommended to walk along the main road and avoid uncleaned areas.
- In case of major events or extreme weather, the park may be temporarily closed. Pay attention to the official notice before traveling.