Beijing - Coal and Viewing Hill

(Local Name: Jingshan Gongyuan) The coal and viewing hill lies exactly opposite the North Gate of the Imperial Palace. It was named ''coal hill'' (Meishan), because under the Ming emperors (1368-1644) coal was stored at the foot of this hill. In 1416 during the construction of the Imperial Palace, the dumping of rubble from the old city wall and large quantities of soil from excavation of the moat surrounding the Imperial Palace, made the low natural mound soar in height. At the foot of the hill in the southeast grows an old acacia which the last Min emperor was supposed to have used on 17th March 1644 to hang himself.