Haidian, Beijing

Haidian is a large urban district located in the northwest of Beijing.

It shares borders with the Xicheng and Fengtai districts. Within the urban area of Beijing, it is the second-largest district. Only the Chaoyang district is larger in size. As of November 2020, the district held 3,133,469 inhabitants. The 2025 census data shows a slightly lower population of 3.122 million. Administratively, the district is organized into 22 subdistricts and 7 towns.

The name Haidian provides a clue to its physical history. The name is derived from the region's water-rich geography. The character '海' (hǎi) suggests a broad, sea-like expanse. The character '淀' (diàn) refers to marshes or shallow ponds.

These features were once very common in this area. Originally, Haidian was just a small village outside Beijing's Inner City. It was first established during the Yuan dynasty.

During the Qing dynasty, the area's role changed significantly. It grew into one of the eight major business areas of the capital. It was home to famous old shops such as Quanjude and Hongbin House. In the early twentieth century, the district began its transition into an academic hub. This shift occurred after Tsinghua University and Yenching University built campuses there. The writer Lao She even described the area as an academic village for students in his novel *Camel Xiangzi*.

Following the foundation of the People's Republic, the government deliberately developed Haidian as a university district. Many Yan'an institutions moved to the area during this time. Haidian officially became an administrative district in June 1954. Today, it is a massive center for higher education. It hosts many prestigious institutions, including Peking University and Renning University. Other major schools include Beihang University, Beijing Forestry University, and China Agricultural University. The Beijing Municipal Commission of Education even has its headquarters in the Beijing Olympic Building.

Beyond education, Haidian is the heart of China's information technology (IT) industry. This development accelerated during the reform and opening up period. In the late 1990s, Haidian had the highest per capita GDP of all Beijing districts. During that time, its GDP grew by double digits every year. The Zhongguancun electronics district is a central part of this economy. It hosts many software and computer-technology companies. Major global companies have a significant presence here.

Baidu maintains its global headquarters in the district.

ByteDance, the developer of TikTok, is also headquartered at Dazhongsi Square.

Lenovo also keeps its global headquarters within the district.

The district is also vital for space exploration and science. The China National Space Administration is headquartered here.

Additionally, the Beijing Aerospace Flight Control Center serves as the central command for the Chinese space program. This center is located within the district boundaries. Other important government bodies, like the Ministry of Science and Technology, are also located here. The district's infrastructure supports these massive scientific and technological operations.

Visitors can find significant historical and natural landmarks throughout Haidian. The district contains two grand imperial gardens: the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace. Other notable sites include the Fragrant Hills and the Beijing Botanical Garden.

For transportation, the district is highly connected. It is served by 14 metro lines of the Beijing Subway.

One light rail line and the Beijing Suburban Railway also provide service. Major roads like the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Ring Roads all run through the area. This complex network helps move millions of people through this diverse district.