# 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 Xicheng Precinct. 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:
| Name | Chinese (S) | Hanyu Pinyin | Population (2010) | Area (km$^2$) |
| Financial Street Subdistrict | 金融街街道 | Jīnróngjiē Jiēdào | 67,888 | 3.78 |
| West Chang'an Avenue Subdistrict | 西长安街街道 | Xīcháng'ānjiē Jiēdào | 51,477 | 4.24 |
| Xinjiekou Subdistrict | 新街口街道 | Xīnjiēkǒu Jiēdào | 95,497 | 3.70 |
| Yuetan Subdistrict | 月坛街道 | Yuètán Jiēdào | 116,543 | 4.13 |
| Zhanlan Road Subdistrict | 展览路街道 | Zhǎnlǎnlù Jiēdào | 130,925 | 5.87 |
| Desheng Subdistrict | 德胜街道 | Déshèng Jiēdào | 116,768 | 4.14 |
| Shichahai Subdistrict | 什刹海街道 | Shénshāhǎi Jiēdào | 95,433 | 5.80 |
| Dashilan Subdistrict | 大栅栏街道 | Dàshilànr Jiēdào | 36,997 | 1.27 |
| Tianqiao Subdistrict | 天桥街道 | Tiānqiáo Jiēdào | 46,385 | 2.07 |
| Chunshu Subdistrict | 椿树街道 | Chūn shù Jiēdào | 30,547 | 1.08 |
| Taoranting Subdistrict | 陶然亭街道 | Táorán tíng Jiēdào | 43,455 | 2.14 |
| Guang'anmennei Subdistrict | 广安门内街道 | Guǎng'ānménnèi Jiēdào | 73,692 | 2.43 |
| Niujie Subdistrict | 牛街街道 | Niújiē Jiēdào | 51,877 | 1.44 |
| Baizhifang Subdistrict | 白纸坊街道 | Báizhǐfāng Jiēdào | 95,737 | 3.11 |
| Guang'anmenwai Subdistrict | 广安门外街道 | Guǎng'ānménwài Jiēdào | 179,536 | 5.49 |

## Economy

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.