Beijing Districts

Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, one of the four municipalities directly under the Central Government, is located in North China.

 

The total area of Beijing is 16,410.54 square kilometers. Beijing Municipality comprises 16 municipal districts, 152 streets, 143 towns, 33 townships, and 5 ethnic townships, with a total of 333 township-level divisions.

 

As of 2020, Beijing has a total of 16 municipal districts, namely Dongcheng District, Xicheng District, Chaoyang District, Fengtai District, Shijingshan District, Haidian District, Shunyi District, Tongzhou District, Daxing District, Fangshan District, Mentougou District, Changping District, Pinggu District, Miyun District, Huairou District and Yanqing District.
 

According to the environment and industry development, the 16 districts in Beijing can be listed in four types:

 

Dongcheng District 

The optimum meeting point of new Beijing and old Beijing, culture essence of China nation with the representation of royalty culture is embodied in Dongcheng. Dongcheng District is the most centralized district of Beijing Cultural relics and historical site. As the most central district, it covers the seatern half of Beijing’s urban core. It is 41.84 square kilometres in area and has a population of 822,000.
 

 

In Beijing Dongcheng District, people can meet the most prosperous part of this city. The famous Wangfujing Street is located here. Besides, the Beijing Railway Station, the Eastern Chang'an Avenue, and the northeastern stretch of the 2nd Ring Road all belong to its jurisdiction. Dongcheng District has became larger when the former Chongwen District was merged into Dongcheng on July 2010.

 

Attractions in Beijing Dongcheng District are colored by the history. The landmark Forbidden City, one of the world’s largest square Tian’an men Square, the splendid world heritage site Temple of Heaven, the ancient commercial street Qianmen Street, the historical imperial college Guozijian, etc… From these kinds of sites, it is easy to find out the characters of attractions in Beijing Dongcheng District.

 

Xicheng District  

• Area: 510,000 square meters
• Zip code: 110102

    

The history of Xicheng District is quite long. Since ancient times, it connects with the development of Beijing City closely. Xicheng District is an important carrier of capital Beijing, the political and cultural center. And it is an important financial and commercial activity district. If you come to Xicheng District, it is better to visit the former residence of celebrities, and perhaps they were once your adoring idols. When you enter into their former living place, you can steel be touched by their personality charm.

 

Xicheng district originally belonged to Jixian County during the period from Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty to Sui Dynasty, Tang Dynasty and Five Dynasties, and then was incorporated into Wanping Xian County during the period of Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasties. The present Xicheng district administrative area was the western part of the capital of Yuan, Ming, Qing Dynasties in history. After the founding of People's Republic of China, on April 18th, 1950, the Central Government divided the area of Beijing into 16 districts.


Today's Xicheng district includes the area of the 2nd district, the 4th district, the west part of the 5th district and part of the 13th and 14th district. In September, 1952, the municipal government restructured and renamed districts in the city. The 2nd district was renamed Xidan district, and the 4th district was renamed Xisi district. In May, 1958, the Central Government combined Xidan district and Xisi district together as Xicheng district. In September, 1987, the municipal government incorporated the Madian area of Chaoyang district into Xicheng district. In the year of 2010, the State Council approved to dissolve the original Beijing Xicheng District and Xuanwu District, and establish the new Xicheng district. The new Xicheng district includes the original administrative area of Xicheng district and Xuanwu district. So far, Xicheng district covers an area of 50.7 square kilometers.

 

Attractions in Xicheng District emphasizes on the historic taste. These sites embody the characteristics of Beijing as a world renowned historical and cultural city, a famous ancient capital and a modern urban city. Xicheng district is also a residential area with beautiful environment and perfect services. With the pace of demolishing ramshackle houses and constructing infrastructures quickened, district environment has been enhanced, and the functional service of communities as well as the living condition of residents in Xicheng district further improved.

 

Haidian District

• Area: 431,000 square meters
• Zip code: 110108

     

Haidian, located in the northwestern part of Beijing’s urban area, is a major functional district of the city. On this fascinating soil, many of the latest achievements have been recorded through the perfect fusion of traditional Chinese culture and modern science and technology. Boasting of charming landscape, profound cultural ethos, abundant high-caliber talents, advanced modern sci-tech industries and pastoral ecological environment, Haidian is one of the most appealing districts with great dynamism and innovative spirit in China.

Haidian, meaning sea and shallow lake in English, is named for its much water. Just as a result of this, enjoying the beautiful scenery brought by mountains, water, forest and fountain, Haidian retains a great number of vast temples and royal gardens without parallel in history and in future.. In Ming and Qing dynasties, construction of gardens in Haidian reached a period of great prosperity. The present campuses of Beijing University and Tsinghua University were just the scenic gardens winning universal praise in Ming Dynasty – Shao Yuan (spoon Park) and Qinghua Yuan (Tsinghua Park); “though man made but seemed God created” “three hills and five gardens” are on the scroll of fame. Today’s Haidian has been the pioneering position initiating hi-tech as Zhonguancun-China’s Sillicon Valley is just here. Experience the glamour of modern hi-tech culture in the dynamic Haidian.

 

Chaoyang District

• Area: 470,000 square meters
• Zip code: 110105

Chaoyang District is the largest suburb and layout district of Beijing and it is a district with the most minorities and the highest travel revenue. Developed traffic network, remote history culture and the successful application for holding Olympic Games make Chaoyang District change quickly.

 

The Chaoyang District is adjacent to the Tongzhou District in the east, to the Haidian, Xicheng, Dongcheng and Chongwen District in the west. To its south, there are two districts of Fengtai and Daxing; to its north, there are two districts of Shunyi and Changping. The Chaoyang District is with a total land area of 470.8 square kilometers, among which the area with constructions is 177.2 square kilometers.

 

Due to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Chaoyang District has developed into a modern place for people to experience fashion culture of youth. The largest area and the most population among the Beijing urban districts, Chaoyang District is featured by a cultural atmosphere integrating fashion culture, folk culture and mass culture in recent years. Like the rising sun, the cultural development of Chaoyang District is vigorous and thriving. 798 Art Zone, Bird Nest, Water Cube, these bright spots show the respect of the creation and the innovation of Chinese people.

 

Fengtai District

• Area: 306,000 square meters
• Zip code: 110106

Fengtai District is a suburban district of the municipality of Beijing. It lies to the southwest of the urban core of the city. the famous tourism scenic spots in Fengtai District include the War of Chinese Resistance against Japan Memorial Hall and the Historical site Marco Polo Bridge (Lugouqiao) etc. before 1990s. The World Park opened in 1993 which inproved the image in a whole of the tourism district entertained 2,700,000 person-times of domestic and foreign tourists in 1998. There are more than 10 tourism scenic spots in the whole district at present. 1 of them is key cultural relics protection unit at nation level and 7 of them are key cultural relics proction unit at city level. Fengtai is listed as the first station of Capital Southwest tour by Beijing Tourism Bureau.

 

Shijingshan District 

• Area: 86,000 square meters 
• Zip code: 110107

Shijingshan District is an urban district of the municipality of Beijing. It lies to the west of the urban core of Beijing, and is part of the Western Hills area. The district consists of 9 subdistricts of Beijing's city proper.

 

Shijingshan District, “east close to the emperor’s court, west adjacent to the Hunhe River”, is named after the Shijingshan Hill within the district which is usually known as the first fairy mountain in capital Beijing. With beautiful natural landscapes, precious humanism resorts, joyful recreation and entertainment centers, Shijingshan District enjoys three major locations for relaxation and entertainment that have their won special features respectively.

 

One of the highlights in Shijingshan attractions is the Fahai Temple which contains top frescos of Ming Dynasty, reflects like a bright pearl with the elegant and green Panlong Hill. Another one is the famous Badachu Park which is extrodinarily spelendid like the Charles’s Wain among the Lishi, Pingpo and Cuiwei Hills.

 

Tongzhou District

• Area: 906,000 square meters 
• Zip code: 110112

 

Tongzhou District is a district of Beijing, the capital of People's Republic of China. It is located in southeast Beijing and considered the eastern gateway to the Chinese capital. Downtown Tongzhou itself lies twelve miles from central Beijing, at the northern end of the Grand Canal (on the junction between the Tonghui Canal and the Northern Canal) and at the easternmost end of Chang'an Avenue. The entire district covers an area of 906 square kilometers, or 6% of Beijing's total area. It had a population of 590,000, and has seen significant growth and development since then. The district is subdivided into 4 subdistricts of the city of Tongzhou, 10 towns, and 1 ethnic rural township.

 

Tongzhou has a long history of more than 220 years since its foundation in Xihan Dynasty. Relics unearthed in Tongzhou indicates that human beings had lived here as early as the Neolithic Age; In 195 BC, Liu Bang, the first Emperor of Xihan dynasty, set up the county here; In 25 AD, the first year of Donghan dynasty, the emperor Liu Xiu renamed it as Lu County; In 1151 AD, when the ruling power was the Jin dynasty, the emperor--King Hai Ling set up a new feudal province and renamed County Lu as Tongzhou since the Chinese character Tong could fully describe the importance of the Great Canal in transportation; In 1914, Tongzhou was renamed Tong County; In 1997, it was, by the State Councilis confirmation, renamed Tongzhou and became one of the districts in Beijing.

 

Shunyi District

• Area: 1,020,000 square meters  
• Zip code: 110113 

Shunyi District is located in the northeast of Beijing. It is 30 miles away from the Beijing city center. With an area of 1,020 square meters, major ethnic groups in Beijing Shunyi District are Hui, Man and Han minorities.

 

Southern Shunyi is a hive of construction activity - not unlike hundreds of other parts of China. In the Tianzhu Development Zone - the region abutting the airport to the west - the largest international exhibition centre in China has just been opened. Shunyi District had served for the 2008 Olympic Games for the rowing, canoeing, and kayaking events. The newly Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park was the place to hold these activities.

 

When Beijing Capital International Airport was first built, Shunyi was a subdistrict of Chaoyang. When Shunyi was promoted to full districtship, Chaoyang maintained direct control over the airport so although the airport is completely surrounded by Shunyi district, it is not administratively in Shunyi; it pays its taxes to the Chaoyang government.

 

Fangshan District  

• Area: 2,019,000 square meters  
• Zip code: 110111 

   

Fangshan District is situated in the southwest of Beijing, 38 km away from the downtown Beijing. It has an area of 2,019 square kilometers and a population of 1,188,000. The district consists of 28 townships (streets), 459 administrative villages, and 154 community neighborhood committees.

 

Fangshan District in Beijing may be a historical district because of the ancient sites. The most famous site Peking Man site in Zhoukoudian is located in this district. It is the most ancient mankind by far and is also one of the richest cultural sites which have been found in the world concerning the ancient mankind site. Another site which refers to the Buddhism is Yunju Temple, a temple has contained the most stone inscriptions in the world. “Shidu” which means Ten ferries is a famous scenic spot with beautiful scenes here and there.

 

Daxing District

• Area: 1,036,000 square meters 
• Zip code: 110115

Daxing District was upgraded from a county to a district with the approval from the State Council on April 30, 2001. Covering an area of 1,036 square kilometers with a population of 1,560,000, Daxing District is divided into 8 street offices, 5 districts and 9 towns. Panggezhuang in Daxing is famous for its watermelons.

 

Beijing Daxing District is an ancient district with a history of 2400 years. From Yuan to Qing dynasties, Daxing District was first important city. Daxing District was belonged to Hebei Province till 1958.

 

Changping District

• Area: 1,344,000 square meters 
• Zip code: 110114

Changping District, covering an area of 1,344 square kilometers, has 12 towns, 2 townships, 2 street offices with total population of 2,108,000. About 34 kilometers from the city center, Changping is renowned for its numerous scenic spots and tourist facilities, like Datangshan museum. It is rich in natural resources, mineral products and rural products.

 

Changping District is the north gate of Beijing. Reputed as the imperial area, from the ancient time, Changping District is a place without normal history. Juyongguan in Changping was famous for its position in military. Then the Ming Tombs tell us the past of Changping. Now, Changping District is the capital satellite basic.

 

Huairou District

• Area: 2,123,000 square meters 
• Zip code: 110116

 

Huairou District is situated at northern Beijing. Huairou District, covering an area of 2123 square kilometers, is divided into 12 towns and 2 ethnic rural townships with a population of 373,000. It is 50 kilometers from the city center (about a 1½ to 2 hour drive); 90 percent of it is mountainous area. Its major agricultural products are chestnuts, walnuts, hawthorns, sweet pears, and apricots.

 

The long-lasting history of Huairou can be dated from the Tang Dynasty over 1300 years ago and the jurisdiction remains the same as that in 1368. On December 30, 2001, Huairou District was officially set up under the approval of the State Council. In ancient Chinese, the character 'Huai' means "Coming', and 'Rou' means 'Appeasement’, when coming together they mean benevolent rule, national unity and mutual development.
 

Pinggu District  

• Area: 948,000 square meters 
• Zip code: 110117

    

Pinggu District lies at the extreme eastern end of Beijing municipality, and borders Tianjin municipality near Ji County. It has an area of 948 square kilometers and a population of 437,000. The district is subdivided into 2 street, 14 towns, and 2 townships.

 

Mentougou District

• Area: 1,448,000 square meters 
• Zip code: 110109
   

Located in the west Beijing, Beijing Mengtougou District has an area of 1,448 square kilometers. It is subdivided into 4 streets, 1 district and 8 towns.

 

The district was purely a rural area well into early 1990s and was not considered as part of Beijing by the urban population, and as of today, many parts of Mentougou remain quite rural. The 6th Ring Road cuts through the eastern, more urbanised section of Mentougou Precinct.

 

Mentougou is gaining popularity as a tourist destination. Among its main sights are the temples of Jietaisi, Tanzhesi, Miaofengshan, Lingshan Mountain, the highest mountain around Beijing, and Chuandixia Village.
 

Miyun District

• Area: 2,229,000 square meters 
• Zip code: 110118
   

Miyun District is situated at northeast Beijing, which is the largest district in Beijing. It has an area of 2,229 square kilometers and a population of 478,000. Miyun District has jurisdiction over 17 towns, 2 sub-districts, and 1 township (regional offices). 

 

Attractions in Miyun District are featured the ancient architectural characters. Sites in Miyun District, Beijing mix the ancient culture in villages and dwelling ruins with unique local civilization. Miyun people entertain visitors by inviting them to be involved in their daily life so that tourism in Miyun District develops very well as one of the leading industry here.

 

One of the most beautiful sections of the Great Wall Simatai - Great Wall is located in Miyun District. The undeveloped surroundings of this section make Simatai Great Wall as a dreamland for many photographers.

 

Yanqing District

• Area: 1,995,000 square meters 
• Zip code: 110119 
   

Yanqing District governs 3 streets, 10 towns, and 4 townships. It is a haven of peace you can actually touch. It is a magic paradise for businessmen who are seeking somewhere to invest and hoping to realize their ambitious dream. It is the famous summer resort on the outskirts of Beijing -Yanqing, about 40 minutes' drive along the Badaling Highway from downtown Beijing.

 

About 74 kilometres northwest of downtown Beijing, Yanqing enjoys a convenient transportation facility. Badaling Highway, No 110 State Road, Jingbao (Beijing-Baotou) Railway and Daqin (Datong-Qinhuangdao) Railway connect Yanqing with its surrounding districts and regions. Convenient transportation offers a guarantee of Yanqing's future development.

Yanqing is spacious but sparsely populated, boasting great potential for further economic development. In an area of 2,000 square kilometres, there are only 280,000 people residing. Thanks to the special topography, the average temperature in Yanqing is about 4 degrees lower than that in the downtown area of Beijing, which offers an ideal condition for promoting summer resort tourism and ice and snow activities in winter.