Jingshan Park

Also known as Coal Hill (because coal used to be stored at the foot of it), most people come here after visiting the Forbidden City to take in the great views from Prospect Hill. The hill itself is a ‘fake’, having been constructed from the earth dug up from the Imperial Palace’s moat. It’s also where the last emperor of the Ming dynasty hanged himself from a scholar tree as rebel troops invaded. Several pavilions with wonderfully contrived names like Pavilion of Admiring the Surroundings and Pavilion of Accumulated Fragrance provide great viewing platforms, but head for the central Wanchun Pavilion first, where tourists make offerings to the Buddha housed inside and admire the city.