Peking's “Picturesque Mountain"
UST north of the pink, tile-capped walls of the Forbidden City is a beautiful artificial mound. This "hill which has been made by art" is known as Ching Shan, or Prospect Hill, and is a very prominent landmark of the ancient capital. Its interesting history carries us back to the romantic days when the Great Khan ruled from within the walls of the capital city. Marco Polo, in his poetic description of Cambaluc, describes it thus: "Moreover, on the north side of the Palace, about a bow-shot off, there is a hill which has been made by art (from the earth dug out of the lake); it is a good hundred paces in height and a mile in compass. This hill is entirely covered with trees that never lose their leaves, but remain ever green. And he has also caused the whole hill to be covered with the ore of azure, which is very green, And thus not only are the trees all green, but the hill itself is all green likewise; and there is nothing to be seen on it that is not green; and hence it is called the Green Mount; and in good sooth 'tis named well. "On top of the hill again there is a fine big palace which is all green inside and out; and thus the hill, and the trees, and the palace form together a charming spectacle; and it is marvelous to see their uniformity of color Everybody who sees them is delighted. And the Great Khan had caused this beautiful prospect to be formed for the comfort and solace and delectation of his heart." The "fine big palace" which once crowned the summit of this picturesque mountain has long since vanished; and now five smaller pavilions, erected by Chia Ch'ing in the sixteenth century, crown the five summits of this remarkable artificial hill. These five peaks, three of which can be seen in the unusual photograph shown on the opposite page, are arranged in a straight row from east to west The "ore of azure" and the fine trees of which Marco Polo writes such glowing accounts have also disappeared; but to-day the hill, as of old, is beautifully wooded, and the fame of the airy summer houses has spread far. "Entranced by the description of her ambassadors, the Russian Empress Catherine the Second ordered that one of these structures be copied for the grounds of her palace at Tsarshoe Selo." Tradition has it that Ching Shan has been built of coal, as a provision in case of a prolonged siege; hence the prosaic name "Coal Hill," which it now bears. But as no trace of coal can be found, others think it was erected purely as a royal plaisance. Be that as it may, for centuries this enchanting spot has been famous as a resort for the old emperors of China and their pleasure-loving favorites. Here, amid the scenes of his pleasures, Ch'ung Chêng, the last of the Ming emperors, hung himself, after the capital had fallen into the hands of his victorious enemies.
