A Good Prospect - Looking at Old Beijing from the Coal Hill in Jingshan Park

In the late 1970s the world known architect I.M Pei climbed the stairs of the Coal Hill together with a delegation of colleagues. Standing on top of the hill the future designer of the glass pyramids at louvre felt deeply moved. Looking down upon the yellow roofs of the Forbidden City he proclaimed to his bystanders: “I am Chinese”. It is understandable that I.M Pei, an American Chinese gentleman felt quite overwhelmed, because there is no better place to appreciate the stunning architectural vision of Beijing than from the Coal Hill. The baffling symmetry of the Imperial palace.

The Central axis that cuts through the city like the spine of a giant. Everything seems to fall into place right at your feet in front of you. “A good prospect” is Beijing’s 850 years Imperial history told from the Coal Hill. The hill was created when the Mongol city of Dadu was torn down by the Ming conquerers. The leftover dirt and debris were simply used to make a hill on the north side of the palace as a protective shield against evil spirits from the north. All through the dynasties this hill would be the highest vantage point throughout the city, and soldiers would constantly stand here alert looking for fire or enemies approaching beyond the Wall. When the Ming Dynasty ended, the last emperor climbed the Coal Hill and hung himself before the rebels could get to him. We aim to end the tour on a somewhat higher note and offer you a glass of Prosecco when you stand on top of the hill looking at the Olympic city in the horizon and the Imperial Palace below.

1 hour walk-and-talk in Jingshan Park