Jingshan Park

Jingshan is a 45-meter-tall artificial hill built in 1416 from earth excavated when digging the Forbidden City's moat. For Ming and Qing emperors, it served as both a feng shui buffer (the hill blocks evil northern spirits) and a private imperial garden. Today, the panoramic view from the central Wanchun Pavilion at the summit is the photograph every Beijing visitor wants — the entire Forbidden City stretches out southward in golden-roof symmetry, framed by the Western and Eastern Districts. The climb up takes 10-15 minutes via stone steps; not strenuous but exposed to the sun. Exit the Forbidden City through its north Gate of Divine Might, cross the street, and you're at Jingshan's south entrance. The park itself has 200+ peony varieties and quiet pavilions where locals play music in the morning. Cheap entry (2 RMB) and never crowded relative to the Forbidden City.