Beijing: Jingshan Park, Sep 2008

Jingshan is a large artificial hill immediately north of the Forbidden City, built with fill from the excavation of the Forbidden City moats (and in an era long before earthmovers!). For centuries it was the emperor's private garden; today it is a city park. There are five ancient pavilions on top from which one can view the city. Jingshan is also the famous site where the last Ming emperor, faced with a rebel army at the gates of the city, committed suicide.

Jingshan Park
Jingshan Park
The summit of Jingshan.
The Forbidden City from Jingshan.
The Forbidden City from Jingshan.
Beihai Park, the Beijing skyline, and the mountains to the northwest.
Beihai Park, the Beijing skyline, and the mountains to the northwest.
Beihai Park, the Beijing skyline, and the mountains to the northwest.
Beihai Park, the Beijing skyline, and the mountains to the northwest.
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From Jingshan Park
From Jingshan Park
From Jingshan Park
From Jingshan Park
View North from Jingshan
Confronted with the imminent loss of Beijing to the rebels led by Li Zicheng, the last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, committed suicide on this spot in 1644.
Confronted with the imminent loss of Beijing to the rebels led by Li Zicheng, the last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, committed suicide on this spot in 1644.
Confronted with the imminent loss of Beijing to the rebels led by Li Zicheng, the last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, committed suicide on this spot in 1644.
Confronted with the imminent loss of Beijing to the rebels led by Li Zicheng, the last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, committed suicide on this spot in 1644.
Confronted with the imminent loss of Beijing to the rebels led by Li Zicheng, the last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, committed suicide on this spot in 1644.
The summit of Jingshan, from below.
The summit of Jingshan, from below.
In Jingshan Park
In Jingshan Park
In Jingshan Park

Brian E. Coggins

Beijing: Jingshan Park, Sep 2008