Jingshan Park (景山公园) is within a walking distance from Tiananmen, locating at northern side of Forbidden City on the central axis of Beijing. It is originally an imperial garden built in 17th century. The artificial hill has 5 peaks at an average height of 46 meters and the garden covers an area of about 0.23 sq km. We visited this garden few years ago in the month of April when peony was blooming in its blossom period.
The existence of Peony plant in China was dating back to about 1500 years ago. Across the nation as at to-date, it has a thousand species varied in colors and sizes. To admire and be inspired from this auspicious flower during its blossom period, it's always considered a pleasurable cultural practice in China.
Peony symbolizes wealth and prosperity for most Chinese.
Many Chinese love Peony for its noble character as described in the Chinese ancient legend: While all flowers obeyed to the order of Lady Emperor Wuzetian, blooming in the snowing winter day for her pleasure, peony refused to blossom to against the nature's regulation. Emperor Wuzetian was so annoyed that she expelled the plant from her capital to Luoyang. She further burnt down all peony plant when the flowers prosperously bloomed in Luoyang. Peony plants were so tough that though all branches were burnt, they grew into new ones the following spring.
Jingshan Park was constructed during Yongle era of Mind Dynasty in 17th century. According to Chinese Feng Shui, it is favorable to site a residence to the south of a nearby hill. When Ming's Dynasty moved its capital to Beijing, there is no hill existed at the location. "Coal Hill", the name of Jingshan by then, was thus created entirely from the soil excavated in and materials transported in by manual labor and animals power. It formed the moats of the imperial Palace and nearby canals.
The hill consists of 5 peaks and on top of each peak, there lies an elaborate pavilion which were used by officials for gathering and leisure. Today, the hill at Jingshan Park has become a natural moat for Forbidden City protecting it from dust storms and chilly northern winds from the north.
A sea of colorful tulips carpeted the site into a floral world.
Awesome!
The access way to climb up one of its hill top where you can have a magnificent view over the russet roofing of Forbidden City.
The dancing branches of Lotus trees, equally attractive as the blooming flowers.
This is a beautiful garden. The last emperor of Ming Dynasty Chong Zheng 崇祯帝 chose this place to commit suicide by hanging himself at a tree by the east side of this fabulous hill garden in year 1644, when rebels swarmed at the city wall.
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