Jingshan Hill is the central portion of this park. It is located north of the Forbidden City and was originally the site of a Ming coal pile. The 43 meter high hill was built with earth excavated from the moats of the Forbidden City. When the Manchurians entered Beijing and started the Qing Dynasty, the last Ming Emperor allegedly hanged himself from a tree at the base of the hill.

This photo of the gates of Jingshan was taken from the pavilion at the top of the hill looking down on the park.