龙宝山5号边墩

“Five beacon towers?” a visitor once asked me, puzzled. “Why would Jingshan Park need so many?” We’re standing at the foot of Jingshan Park, near the ruins of Longbaoshan No. 5 Beacon Tower (龙宝山5号边墩). These ruins tell a story of imperial power and communication. Jingshan Park itself sits on the Beijing Central Axis. This axis is a testament to meticulous city planning. It stretches 7.8 kilometers from Yongdingmen Gate in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north. During the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, Jingshan Park took on new significance. The Shouhuang Palace was moved to the north of the park. Five pavilions were also added, marking the highest points along the Central Axis. These pavilions, including Wanchun Pavilion, offered breathtaking views of the city. They also served a vital function. They were part of a network of beacon towers. These towers relayed messages across the empire using smoke and fire signals. Longbaoshan No. 5 Beacon Tower, now in ruins, was one such signal point. Imagine the scene. A plume of smoke rises from a distant tower, carrying news of an approaching army or a vital imperial decree. The signal is picked up and relayed from tower to tower. Finally, it reaches the heart of the empire, the Forbidden City. These towers were more than just communication tools. They represented the emperor’s reach and control. They were symbols of imperial might. The fact that these towers were located in the highest points on the Central Axis demonstrates how they were important for the emperor.