Jingshan: The Park on the Hill

At nearly 50 meters, climbing to the top of Jingshan Park (also called 'Coal Hill') may be quite a mission; but once there, the views are astounding. Justification for walking up the steep steps to the top, (and perhaps in booking your Beijing flights), is that you will be able to gaze in awe at the majestic Forbidden City. Listed as an AAAA scenery spot in Beijing and approximately covering 230,000 square meters the park is unquestionably a China travel must-see attraction. It is remarkable to think that the hill itself was created from the material dug to build the Forbidden City's moat giving it a deep-rooted connection with the nation's past. The Wanchun (Everlasting Spring) Pavilion is the highest point in Beijing, most centrally located and in my opinion the most impressive of the five pavilions. Around this pavilion, merchandise is sold for tourists and there is the opportunity to dress like the Emperor (or Empress depending). Personally, I gave this a miss as the Emperor's robes looked a bit too much on such a hot day. In light of this, the views are the best bird-eye you will ever get of the Forbidden City on the land. On a clear day, due to the pavilion's centrality and height, you can peer over the length and breadth of the city from the greenery of Bei Hai to CCTV Tower. Littered with evergreen foliage, the park is a scenic throughout the year. In the spring, for example, the park host a peony show whilst there is a lotus show in the summer and displays or fruit in the autumn. This park is certainly a national treasure at the very heart of the capital and which is cherished across the generations. It is therefore understandable that there is a small entrance fee to help with the upkeep of this beautiful spot and the Emperors would use the park as a place for recreational pursuits and escape. For those who may have difficulty walking to the top, the parkland surrounding the hill is a hive of activity with people, young and old playing games and singing which is great fun to watch or join in! Getting to the park can be slight tricky. One option is to take the subway to Dongsi station on line 5 and then either walk or take the 101 bus to the Forbidden City Station. Another option is to take a bus, such as the 111 to the South Gate of Jingshan Park. Note that, if you travel to Beijing, visiting the park in the afternoon might be useful after visiting the Forbidden City in the morning. This is primarily because the exit from the Forbidden City lies on the bus route to the park. from China Travel Blog http://blog.chinatraveldepot.com

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