Jing Shan Park

Situated on Beijing’s north-south axis, Jing Shan Park has its origins in the Yuan dynasty (1279 - 1368). Its hill was created from earth that was excavated while building the palace moat during the reign of the Ming Yongle emperor. In the early years of the Ming dynasty it was known as Wansui Shan (Long Life Hill), but was renamed Jing Shan (View or Prospect Hill) in the Qing dynasty. Foreign residents also referred to it as Coal Hill (Mei Shan), supposedly because coal was stored at the foot of the hill although other theories exist. Until the fall of the Qing, Jing Shan was linked to the Forbidden City and was restricted to imperial use. The hill’s purpose was to protect the imperial palaces within the Forbidden City from malign northern influences, which brought death and destruction according to classical feng shui. However, it failed to save the last Ming emperor Chongzhen, who hanged himself from a locust tree (huaishu) in the park in 1644, when rebel troops forced their way into Beijing. Another tree, planted after the original tree was cut down, marks the spot in the park’s southeast. The park is dotted with several pavilions and halls, but the highlight of any visit is the superb view of the Forbidden City from the hill’s Wancheng Ting (Wancheng Pavilion).

Tips: 1 Wenjin Jie, Xicheng. Tian’an Men Xi. Daily.

Bei Hai Park

An imperial garden for more than 1,000 years, Bei Hai Park was opened to the public in 1925. Filled with artificial hills, pavilions, and temples, it is associated with Kublai Khan, who redesigned it during the Yuan dynasty. The Tuancheng (Round City), near the south entrance, has a huge, decorated jade urn belonging to him. The park is named after its extensive lake, Bei Hai, whose southern end is bordered by the inaccessible Zhongnanhai, the Communist Party Headquarters. In the middle of Bei Hai, Jade Island was supposedly made from the earth excavated while creating the lake. It is topped by the 118 ft (36 m) high White Dagoba, a Tibetan-style stupa built to honor the visit of the fifth Dalai Lama in 1651. Beneath the huge dagoba, Yongan Si comprises a series of ascending halls. The lake’s northern shore has several sights, including the massive Nine Loong Screen, an 89 ft (27 m) long spirit wall made of colorful glazed tiles. Depicting nine intertwining Loong, it was designed to obstruct evil spirits. The Xiaoxitian Temple lies to the west.

Tips: 1 Wenjin Jie, Xicheng. Tian’an Men Xi. Daily.

Di Tan Park

An ideal place to stroll amidst trees, Di Tan Park was named after the Temple of Earth (Di Tan), which was the venue for imperial sacrifices. The park’s altar (Fangze Tan) dates to the Ming dynasty and its square shape represents the earth. Under the Ming, five main altars were established at the city’s cardinal points — Tian Tan (Temple of Heaven) in the south, Di Tan in the north, Ri Tan (Temple of the Sun) in the east, Yue Tan (Temple of the Moon) in the west, and Sheji Tan (Temple of Land and Grain) in the center. Mirroring ancient ceremonies, a lively temple fair (miaohui) is held during the Chinese New Year, to welcome the spring planting season and appease the gods.

Xiang Shan Park

This wooded parkland area, also known as Fragrant Hills Park, is at its scenic best in the fall, when the maples turn a flaming red. Its main attractions are the fine views from Incense Burner Peak, accessible by a chairlift, and the splendid Biyun Temple, or Azure Cloud Temple, close to the main gate. The temple is guarded by the menacing deities Heng and Ha in the Mountain Gate Hall. A series of halls leads to the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, where his coffin was stored in 1925, before being taken to Nanjing. At the temple’s rear is the distinctive 112 ft high Diamond Throne Pagoda. About a mile east of Xiang Shan Park are the Beijing Botanical Gardens, with pleasant walks and some 3,000 plant species. The gardens’ Sleeping Buddha Temple is renowned for its magnificent bronze statue of a reclining Buddha. China’s last emperor, Pu Yi, ended his days here as a gardener.

Tips: Wofosi Lu, Xiang Shan, Haidian district. 333 from Summer Palace, 360 from Zoo. 6am-7pm.

Beijing Zoo

West of the Beijing Exhibition Hall, Beijing Zoo is a relic of a bygone era, with outdated concrete and glass cages. The Panda Hall is one of its better enclosures, and the bears are at their liveliest in the mornings. The real reason for visiting is the huge Aquarium, with coral reefs, an Amazon rainforest, and a very impressive shark pool. Whales, dolphins, and an array of aquatic mammals complete the collection.

Tips: 137 Xizhi Men Wai Dajie, Haidian. 7:30am-6pm (till 5pm winter).