Xicheng, Beijing Municipality, China

🇨🇳 Xicheng District (西城区) is a district of Beijing. Xicheng District spans 32 square km (12 sq mi), covering the western half of the old city (largely inside the 2nd Ring Road - the eastern half is Dongcheng District). 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 (Jinrongjie), Beihai Park, Jingshan Park, Shichahai and Zhongnanhai are 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:

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 Beijing Financial Street • 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 - Anhuaqiao, Guloudajie  2, Shichahai, Zhushikou  7, Tianqiao •      Line 13 - Xizhimen  2  4 

Transport: Rail 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 (北京市教育委员会; 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.