Stele of the Misty Trees at Jimen

Stele of the Misty Trees at Jimen

The Stele of the Misty Trees at Jimen is a cultural tourism attraction.

Destination Introduction

During the Warring States period, the State of Yan made Ji City its capital, which was anciently called Jimen. Since the Yuan and Ming dynasties, some people have regarded the earthen gate outside Deshengmen, commonly known as Tucheng Pass, as the former site of Jimen. Legend has it that there were two earthen mounds outside the gate covered with lush trees and surrounded by misty clouds that remained unchanged all year round, hence the name “Misty Trees at Jimen.” Currently, the stele is located at Huangtingzi on Xueyuan Road.

A staff member from the Greening Office of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Parks and Forestry said that “Misty Trees at Jimen,” as one of the scenic spots in the Xitucheng Ruins Park, has received attention and protection from the bureau. The Xitucheng Ruins Park is an open public green space. Currently, high railings have been installed around the Stele of the Misty Trees at Jimen. Due to historical changes, the original landscape can no longer be seen, and the only historical evidence is this stele inscribed by Emperor Qianlong.

The Stele of the Misty Trees at Jimen is situated on the ruins of the Yuan Dynasty earthen city in Huangtingzi Village, Xueyuan Road, Haidian District. Since the Yuan and Ming dynasties, the Jiandemen Gate (commonly known as Tucheng Pass) outside Deshengmen of the Yuan Dadu City has been regarded as the former site of the Warring States Ji Gate. It was called "Flying Rain at Jimen" during the Yuan Dynasty and began to be known as “Misty Trees at Jimen” in the Ming Dynasty. Legend has it that there were two earthen mounds outside the gate with “lush trees and misty clouds that remained unchanged all year round,” hence the name. This is one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Yanjing,” though the original scene no longer exists.

Location: Located by the earthen wall five li outside Deshengmen

The stele is about 3 meters tall, 80 cm wide, and 25 cm thick. Its top is shaped like a monk’s hat and is carved with thunder patterns. The square base holds the inscription on the front side, which is the four characters “Misty Trees at Jimen” handwritten by Emperor Qianlong, while the back features his imperial seven-character regulated verse: “Ten li of willows shroud in misty haze, / Point to Jimen’s desolate mound in disarray. / Where’s the tavern with green-hung sign to buy? / The yellow earth buries more souls as days fly. / Can’t detain travelers bidding far adieu, / Who’d heed the orioles for outings true? / The temple bell tries waking dust-born dream, / Its broken chime drifts o’er towers supreme.” It was renovated in 1985, and the surrounding area has been turned into a park.

Attraction Location

Huangtingzi, Beitaipingzhuang Subdistrict, Haidian District, Beijing