Feng Shui is important in China, especially back in the days, but if you can’t really find the right spot for your palace why not change the environment to match what you need? and so they did. According to the principles of Feng Shui the Forbidden City – the imperial palace and residence – needs to be south of a hill. If there is no hill, then just create one. The Mings moved a lot of soil to create the Feng Shui hill north of the palace, or "Coal hill" (煤山, Méishān), situated in what’s now the Jingshan Park (景山公园) .
I’m not sure the Feng Shui principles intended for it, but thanks to them we now have a wonderful hill overlooking the Forbidden City and offering grand views of Beijing.
Once you’re done touring the endless grounds of the palace, cross the street and slowly make your way up the hill, and this is what you’re likely to see…
Jingshan Park used to be an imperial garden, chosen as the central point of Beijing…
The gardens are now a public park. Just like the rest of the imperial gardens surrounding the palace, they are very nicely done.
The views of Beijing from the top of the hill are terrific…
and, if you’re anything like my father (in the background), you’d probably also appreciate the more proximate views…
Don’t miss this in your forbidden city tour.