Jingshan Park Revealed: Your Essential Travel Guide
How to get there?
Address: No. 44 Jinshan West St., Xicheng District, Beijing Address in Chinese:北京市西城区景山西街44号 景山公园
The easiest way to visit Jinshan Park is after the Forbidden City since it is just outside the North Gate of the Forbidden City.
If you plan to visit Jingshan Park some other time, you can easily get there by bus: 58,101,103,109,124,128 to Forbidden City (故宫北门North Gate) or bus 111 to East gate of Jingshan Park(景山东门). The nearest subway is Nanluoguxiang line 8 and line 6(南锣鼓巷 1.3 km) or China Art Museum (中国美术馆，1.2km).
Opening Hours & Ticket Prices
Busy season：(1st April to 31 October)
Low season：(1st November to 31 March)
Main Gate open time：
Busy season: 6:00-20:30 Close time：22:00
Low season: 6:30-19:30 Close time：21:00
Entrance fee
2 RMB
General History
When Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di 朱棣) was constructing Beijing and the Forbidden City, the dirt dredged from the city moat was moved to the site to form the so-called Garrison Hill or Hill of Longevity. During the years of Ming Emperor Wanli, the name changed to Coal Hill. The large renovation was done in the Qing Dynasty and changed to Jingshan Park at Emperor Shunzhi’s ring. Five pavilions were added when Emperor Qianlong was in power; thus, the hill was even more splendid.
Seeing Highlights
Panoramic view of Beijing
Jinshan Park is the highest hill in Beijing, which is 45.7 meters. So it is the best place to see the panoramic view of Beijing. Stand on the top of the Hill is the Everlasting Spring Pavilion (Wanchun Ting 万春亭). South of the Pavillion, you can see the entire view of the Forbidden City. In the North Part is the Beijing Axis, where the Drum Tower is in front.
Jinshan Park is also a nice place to enjoy Beijing by sunset as it is closed late after sunset. It also lights up at night on Friday and Saturday, making the view even better.
An interesting story about the last emperor
At the East foot of Jingshan Hill, next to the Surrounding view pavilion, there was a locust tree on which the last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, committed suicide. When peasant rebels led by Li Zicheng entered Bejng, Emperor Chongzhen knew the end was near, so accompanied by a eunuch named Wang Chengen in charge of ceremony and rites, the last Ming Emperor went to the locust tree and hung himself.
Recommend itinerary
For a 1-day city trip to see all the highlights, I suggest you schedule it like this: Temple of Heaven – Tiananmen Square – The Forbidden City – Jinshan Park.
This route can easily take you one day with a lot of walks. If you want to see more, you can put Beihai Park and the drum and bell tower in the itinerary.
FAQS
How do you go to Beihai Park from Jingshan Park?
Go out of Jingshan Park from the west gate and walk about 200 meters to the east gate of Beihai Park.
How do you go to Wangfujing from Jinshan Park?
Usually, it is tough to get a taxi at the North gate of the Forbidden City. It is within walking distance, about 25 minutes of walking to Wangfujing. You can also go to the east gate of Jingshan Park and take bus 111, which goes five stations to Wangfujing. The bus ticket is 2RMB.
How tall is Jingshan Park?
Jingshan Park is 45.7 meters and 89.2 meters above sea level.
