Xicheng, Beijing

Xicheng (Chinese: 西城区; pinyin: Xīchéng Qū; lit. 'West City District') is a district of the city of Beijing. Its 32 square kilometers (12 sq mi) cover the western half of the old city (largely inside the 2nd Ring Road; the eastern half is Dongcheng District), and has 1,106,214 inhabitants (2020 census). Its postal code is 100032. Xicheng is subdivided into 15 subdistricts of the city proper of Beijing. The former Xuanwu District was merged into Xicheng in July 2010. The Xidan commercial district, Beijing Financial Street, Beihai Park, Jingshan Park, Shichahai, and Zhongnanhai are all within its jurisdiction. The popular Houhai bar area is also in district. Before the 1911 Revolution, most royalty and aristocrats resided in the precinct. The oldest Catholic church in Beijing, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is located in Xicheng. Administrative divisions There are 15 subdistricts in the district: Economy The district's 2025 gross domestic product amounts to an estimated CN¥631.4 billion (US$88.39 billion). Its GDP per capita in 2025 was CN¥578,735, corresponding to around US$81,022 by nominal values. COSCO has its headquarters in the Ocean Plaza building in Xicheng. The Xinhua News Agency has its headquarters in the Dacheng Plaza (大成大厦 Dàchéng Dàshà) in Xicheng. In addition Bank of China, China Construction Bank, the State Grid Corporation of China, China National Nuclear Corporation, and Taikang Life Insurance also have their headquarters in Xicheng. Government The Chinese Ministry of Education is headquartered in Xidan, Xicheng District. The Chinese Academy of Sciences is headquartered in Xicheng District. The China Food and Drug Administration is headquartered in Xicheng District. The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office headquarters is in Xicheng District. The Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing is in Xicheng District. Important areas in Xicheng District Imperial City Beijing Financial Street Zhongnanhai Beihai Park Jingshan Park Shichahai Drum Tower and Bell Tower Prince Gong's Residence (Gongwang Fu) Xinjiekou Xidan Xisi Qianmen Dashilar Liulichang (an ancient antiques market since Qing dynasty) Beijing Zoo Fayuan Temple Huguang Guild Hall Miaoying Temple Niujie Mosque Transport Metro Xicheng is served by seven metro lines of the Beijing Subway: Line 1 - Muxidi, Nanlishilu, Fuxingmen 2 , Xidan 4 , Tian'anmen West Line 2 - Guloudajie 8 , Jishuitan, Xizhimen 4 14 , Chegongzhuang 6 , Fuchengmen, Fuxingmen 1 , Changchunjie, Xuanwumen 4 , Hepingmen Line 4 - Xizhimen 2 13 , Xinjiekou, Ping'anli 6 , Xisi, Lingjing Hutong, Xidan 1 , Xuanwumen 2 , Caishikou 7 , Taoranting Line 6 - Chegongzhuang West, Chegongzhuang 2 , Ping'anli 4 , Beihai North Line 7 - Wanzi, Daguanying, Guang'anmennei, Caishikou 4 , Hufangqiao Line 8 - Anhua Qiao, Guloudajie 2 , Shichahai, Zhushikou 7 , Tianqiao Line 13 - Xizhimen 2 4 Suburban Railway Xicheng is served by one commuter line operated by Beijing Suburban Railway (BCR). Huairou–Miyun line - Beijing North railway station Education Primary and secondary schools The High School Affiliated to Beijing Normal University is in Xicheng; it was located in Xuanwu District before Xicheng absorbed Xuanwu. Beijing No.4 High School is also in Xicheng District. One school in Niujie, the Beijing Xuanwu Huimin Elementary School (S: 北京市宣武回民小学, P: Běijīng Shì Xuānwǔ Huímín Xiǎoxué), serves the Hui people living in the area. It used to be in Xuanwu District. The Beijing Municipal Commission of Education (simplified Chinese: 北京市教育委员会; traditional Chinese: 北京市教育委員會; pinyin: Běijīng Shì Jiàoyùwěiyuánhuì), the local education authority, used to be headquartered in Xicheng District. Post-secondary schools People's Public Security University of China Central Conservatory of Music is based in Xicheng, near Fuxingmen and Changchunjie stations. References External links Official website of Xicheng District Government Archived December 22, 2013, at the Wayback Machine (in Chinese) Photo Gallery of Houhai area Includes 20 high quality photographs Photo Gallery of Qianhai area Includes 20 high quality photographs