Xicheng, Beijing

Xicheng is a major district located in the city of Beijing. It covers the western half of the city's old area. Most of this district sits inside the 2nd Ring Road. To its east, it meets the Dongcheng District. According to the 2020 census, Xicheng is home to 1,106,214 inhabitants. The district is organized into 15 different subdistricts. These smaller areas help manage the large population.

The administrative layout of Xicheng changed significantly in recent years. In July 2010, the district underwent a major merger. It absorbed the former Xuanwu District into its borders. This merger expanded the size and reach of Xicheng. Today, the district is divided into 15 specific subdistricts. Each subdistrict has its own population and land area. For example, Guang'anmenwai is a large subdistrict with 179,536 people. In contrast, Chunshu is much smaller, covering only 1.08 square kilometers. Other areas like Zhanlanlu cover 5.87 square kilometers.

History plays a massive role in the character of Xicheng. Before the 1911 Revolution, this area was very special. Most of the royalty and aristocrats lived within this precinct. You can still see traces of this history today. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is located here. It is the oldest Catholic church in Beijing. The district also contains famous historical landmarks. These include Beihai Park, Jingshan Park, and Shichahai. The Houhai bar area is another popular spot for visitors.

Modern Xicheng is a powerful center for the Chinese economy. It contains the Beijing Financial Street. This area is filled with tall buildings and major banks.

Many large companies have their headquarters here. The Bank of China and China Construction Bank operate in the district. The State Grid Corporation of China is also based here. Other major firms include COSCO and Taikang Life Insurance. Even the Xinhua News Agency maintains its headquarters in Dacheng Plaza.

The district is also a hub for government and science. Many important national organizations are located in Xicheng. The Chinese Academy of Sciences has its headquarters here. The Ministry of Education is located in the Xidan area. The China Food and Drug Administration also operates from this district. Additionally, the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office is based here. The Office of the Government of the HKSAR is also present. These organizations make Xicheng a vital part of China's administration.

Education and culture are deeply rooted in the district. Xicheng is home to many important schools. The Central Conservatory of Music is located near Fuxingmen. The High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University is also here. There is even a school in Niujie called Beijing Xuanwu Huimin Elementary School. This school serves the Hui people living in the area. The district also hosts the Post-secondary People's Public Security University of China. This variety of institutions supports a large, diverse population.

Moving around Xicheng is made easy by advanced transport systems. The Beijing Subway provides extensive coverage for the district. Seven different metro lines serve the area. These lines include Muxidi, Xidan, and Xizhimen.

These routes connect residents to many parts of the city. For longer trips, the Beijing North railway station is very useful. It is part of the Beijing Suburban Railway system. This combination of metro and rail makes Xicheng very accessible. It links the local streets to the wider region effectively.