Xicheng Today

    Xicheng District is in the central area in the capital of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
 
    It is where the Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC), the Standing Committee of National People's Congress (NPC), the State Council and National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) meet. It is also the base of more than 50 ministries and bureaus directly under the State Council. It is blessed with elegant former imperial gardens and it has a profound historical and cultural background. Each stone and brick in the district has a historic legend to tell.
 
    Xicheng District is an area of vitality. Here, changes in Beijing's urban development take place every day. The Financial Street and Xidan central business areas are well-known far and near. The financial, real estate, telecommunications and tourism industries are thriving here. People are living stable and prosperous lives, thanks to the all-round and coordinated socio-economic development. 
 
    Xicheng District will resonate with you, your moods and experiences. We sincerely hope you will come and experience Xicheng, enjoy its atmosphere and discover opportunities that will develop your career.

    Welcome to Xicheng District, Beijing!

Natural Geography

    Xicheng District is located on the west side of Tiananmen Square. It stretches 5.5 km from east to west and 7.5 km from north to south, covering an area of 31.66 km?. It is surrounded by Dongcheng District, Xuanwu District, Haidian District and Chaoyang District.

    The landform of the district is mostly flat and the average altitude is 40 m above sea level. It has a temperate continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, with a short spring and fall and longer winter and summer. There is an ample amount of sunshine. The average annual temperature is 11.7¡æ, with a maximum of 38¡æ and a minimum of -15¡æ. The average annual precipitation is 626 mm, 75% of which usually comes in the summer.

The Population of Xicheng

    By the end of 2008, the total population of Xicheng District was 878, 000. It is made up of 40 nationalities and the Han Nationality has a majority population. There are three minority nationalities with a population of more than 1000. They are the Hui Nationality, the Man Nationality and the Mongol Nationality. The main religions in Xicheng District are Buddhism, Taoism, Islamism, Catholic and Protestant Christianity.

History

    Beijing has been the site of the capital a number of times in the past. Present day Xicheng District comprised the western half of the capital in the Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Dadu, the capital in the Yuan Dynasty, was built in 1262. The emperor¡¯s palace, the main commercial district, and the final port on the Grand Canal were all located in the Xicheng District of today. The Italian traveler Marco Polo mentioned the area in his travel log. In recent history, when the People¡¯s Republic of China was established in 1949, Beijing was chosen as the capital again. Then in 1958, the area west of the Forbidden City was designated as Xicheng District.