"Stream pathway/park" Beijing Off The Beaten Path Tip by schwein

On the south side of the Forbidden City lies a nice stream pathway. It is hard to notice if you aren't looking for it, as it is hidden between the City wall, with another identical wall blocking access from the sidewalk/street.

This is the same stream that you cross over to get into the Forbidden City.

To access the pathway:
From the Tiananmen gate Forbidden City entrance, head east about 100m. You will see doorways for a public toilet set back against the wall. The park's access door is in the wall, beside the bathroom doors, and looks like it's part of the bathroom complex. It comes out in the next block over, where the main road crosses it, and continues on.

A nice walk, much better than walking along beside the traffic and crowds on the sidewalk.
Maybe people didn't enter the doorway because they thought the path was part of the bathroom area?

We used the pathway quite a few times, just walking around. It never had more than a handful of people in it, no matter what time it was and how crowded the sidewalks were.