Jingshan Park Ticket Beijing

Jingshan Park: the hill behind the Forbidden City

Jingshan Park rises directly north of the Forbidden City, across the road from its northern Gate of Divine Prowess. The hill was piled up in the early fifteenth century from earth dug out for the palace moat and canals, and in feng shui terms it shielded the palace from the north. For centuries it was an imperial garden closed to the public, and old Western accounts called it Coal Hill.

The hill has five peaks, each crowned by a pavilion, and the whole park sits exactly on Beijing's north–south central axis, the line that runs through the palace from the old city gates in the south to the Drum and Bell Towers in the north. Is Jingshan Park worth visiting? For the view alone, most travellers say it is one of the highlights of Beijing.

The Pavilion of Everlasting Spring and the view over the palace

Paths and stone stairs wind up through pine and cypress trees to the central summit, a climb of about 10 to 15 minutes. At the top stands the Pavilion of Everlasting Spring (Wanchun Ting), a three-tiered pavilion that marks the highest point of the old city. From its terrace the Forbidden City spreads out to the south as a sea of yellow-tiled roofs, halls and courtyards, perfectly aligned along the central axis.

Turn west to see the White Dagoba on its island in Beihai Park, north to the Drum and Bell Towers, and on clear days the modern skyline and the Western Hills beyond. The smaller pavilions on the side peaks offer quieter angles. Bring a camera with a zoom lens and give yourself time to wait for the light.

Gardens, flowers and evening lights

Below the hill, the park is a lovely place to slow down, with old trees, flower beds and shaded benches where Beijing residents gather to sing, dance and practise tai chi in the mornings. In spring, from about mid-April to May, Jingshan is famous for its peony and tulip displays, which draw many local visitors.

In the evening, the park's special illumination lights up the pavilions and paths, but only on Friday and Saturday nights and on official public holidays, so plan your visit accordingly if you want to see it. The rest of the week the park is calm at dusk, and the sunset over the palace roofs is still beautiful. Allow one to two hours in total.

Opening hours, how to get there and the best time to visit

Jingshan Park opening hours are usually from early morning until 21:00, and staff guide visitors towards the exits at closing time. How to get to Jingshan Park: most visitors walk across the road after leaving the Forbidden City by its north gate; otherwise a taxi to the south gate on Jingshan Front Street is the easiest option, and the west gate is on Jingshan West Street.

The best time to visit Jingshan Park is late afternoon on a clear day, when the low sun turns the palace roofs gold, or early morning for softer light and fewer people. Spring and autumn usually bring the clearest skies. Afterwards, nearby Beihai Park and the lakes of Shichahai make a pleasant continuation, and halal (qingzhen) restaurants run by Hui Muslim families are easy to find in central Beijing.