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Jingshan Park
Located to the east of Beihai Park and north of the Imperial Palace, Jingshan Park is another beautiful spot to visit. Now covered in fruit trees, pines and cypress trees, the hill was originally made with the earth from the moat surrounding the Forbidden City. From the top there are wonderful views of Beijing, especially over the Forbidden City, hence its name, which means "Scenic Hill." The park was an imperial garden during the Yuan (1271 - 1368), Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) dynasties.
The main sites of interest in the park include the Hope Tower "xiwanglou," where people still worship at a memorial tablet for Confucius, which is in the Keeping Benevolence Hall (yong"endian). The Visiting Virtue Hall (guandedian), to the north of the hill, is where the coffins of the Qing emperors and empresses lie. The 43-metre-high Million Spring Pavilion (Wanchunting) sits atop the hill. From here it is possible to appreciate a spectacular 360 degree vista of the city of Beijing. Directly to the north is Di"anmen Street, running straight as an arrow up to the Drum and Bell Towers (zhonggulou); to the east is the Yonghegong Lamasery, the Imperial College, and the Confucian Temple; to the west is Beihai Park, where the White Pagoda rises above a blue lake full of boats; and to the south is the Imperial Palace.
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