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.
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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.