Guilty Chinese Scholartree, Historical tree in Jingshan Park, Beijing, China.

The Guilty Chinese Scholartree is a specimen of Styphnolobium japonicum, the pagoda tree or Chinese scholar tree, standing in Jingshan Park north of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The tree now at the spot was replanted in 1996: a 150-year-old specimen brought from Dongcheng district to replace the one planted in 1981.

The original tree witnessed a tragic event in 1644, when Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming dynasty ended his life after rebel forces under Li Zicheng captured Beijing. Since then, new trees have been planted at this spot to preserve its historical meaning.

The tree connects Beijing's imperial past with today, drawing visitors interested in Chinese dynasties and historical turning points. People come to feel that link to the Ming period and understand what happened here.

The tree sits on a hilltop in Jingshan Park with clear views of the surrounding old city and the Forbidden City grounds below. Visiting early in the morning helps you experience the space with fewer crowds.

The Chinese name Zuihuai means "guilty pagoda tree", a name given after the tree was blamed for the emperor's death. The tree was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution and removed in 1971; the present specimen was planted in 1981 and replaced in 1996 by a tree over 150 years old brought from Dongcheng District.