When it comes to touring the old city of Beijing, there is no better option than the central axis located at the heart of the city – a 7.8-kilometer-long line that links some of Beijing's most recognizable ancient architecture from north to south, including the Drum Tower and Bell Tower, the Forbidden City as well as the Temple of Heaven.

In the bustling metropolis of Beijing, there are places you'll find some greenery, peace and tranquility. Jingshan Park and Ditan Park are the palaces worth visiting among them. 

• Jingshan Park

In the middle of the line lies a former imperial garden, now one of the most sought-after parks in the city, named Jingshan.

Constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Jingshan Park is adjacent to the imperial palace of the Forbidden City to the south. During the reign of Emperor Yongle – the third emperor in the Ming Dynasty from 1402 to 1424 – an artificial hill, called Jingshan Hill, was built with earth excavated to form the moat surrounding the imperial palace.

Five pavilions can be seen perched on the five peaks of the hill. Among them, the Wanchun Pavilion, sitting right in the center, boasts the highest point and the best view overlooking the whole city.

Today the Wanchun Pavilion has become a photographic hotspot for tourists and shutterbugs. It's a common sight to see people holding cameras vying for a good spot to capture the sunrise, sunset, and the night scenery.

Standing in the northern part of the park, facing south, the Shouhuang Palace is the second largest architectural complex on the central axis, following the Forbidden City. It was initially constructed in 1749 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty to serve as a site to venerate the imperial ancestors. 

It reopened to the public in late 2018 after a four-year restoration. Now the marble balustrades, red walls and pillars, and golden tiles gleam in the sunshine.

Together with the pavilions and palaces, a wide array of trees and plants laid out across the park creates a classic Chinese royal garden. Especially when spring comes, the park is adorned with some 20,000 blooming peonies of different colors.

Travel tips:

Opening hours: From 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., closing an hour earlier in winter.

Ticket price: 2 CNY. Tickets need to be booked online at least one day in advance.

• Ditan Park

Ditan, also known as the Temple of Earth, is the second largest imperial altar in the city that used to serve as a site to worship the God of Earth during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1638-1911).

The overall configuration of the altar mirrors the ancient Chinese architectural practices of "Tian Yuan Di Fang" – meaning the round heaven and square earth. That explains why Ditan was constructed in a square shape, whereas Tiantan, the Temple of Heaven located in the southern part of the city, features a circular layout.

During the Summer Solstice, a grand ceremony would be held where the emperor made sacrificial offerings to Earth, praying for his longevity and prosperity for the people. However, the rituals weren't easy. 

It's said that the emperor would kneel down more than 70 times and kowtow (the act of kneeling and bowing to have one's head touch the ground to show respect) over 200 times throughout the whole ceremony that usually lasted for two hours. 

Such a large amount of activity cast a great burden on the emperors, and they would normally send someone else on his behalf to do the rituals when they get old or sick. The Kangxi Emperor – the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history, for instance, offered sacrifices to Earth 26 times during the first 40 years of his 61-year reign, and his sons and qinwang (prince of the first rank) carried out the rituals for the rest of his reign.

The park has gone through a green transformation over the years creating spacious tree-lined paths and lush gardens, extending the idea of harmony between human beings and nature. It also provides recreational areas for the locals, especially for elderly people. 

The fall foliage creates one of the most beautiful sights during a year, typically from mid-October to mid-November when some of the city's oldest gingko trees in the park turn golden yellow. 

During the Spring Festival holiday, it boasts one of the most popular temple fairs in the city.

Travel tips:

Opening hours: 6 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. from May to October, closing an hour earlier during the rest of the year.

Ticket price: 2 CNY for entrance, and 5 CNY for the Fangze Altar and Huangqi Hall.