Right Peace Gate. You’anmen Subdistrict got its name from this gate. It was once a city gate of Beijing’s outer city wall.
Today we stand in You’anmen Subdistrict. This area is one of the 14 subdistricts of Fengtai District in Beijing. It sits in the eastern part of Fengtai. You’anmen is south of Baizhifang and Taoranting Subdistricts. It is west of Yongdingmenwai Subdistrict. To the north is Xiluoyuan Subdistrict. Nanyuan, Lugouqiao and Taipingqiao Townships are to the east.
Imagine this area long ago. In 1912, You’anmen was part of the 3rd Suburban District of Beijing. By 1949, it became part of the 14th District. The area shifted again in 1950. It then became part of the 11th District. Two years later in 1952, You’anmen was included in the Nanyuan District.
The year 1957 marked a change. You’anmen was officially established as a subdistrict. Only a year later in 1958, it was transferred under the administration of Fengtai District. Change continued. In 1987, the area east and south of the Jingfeng railway became part of Xiluoyuan Subdistrict.
More recently, in 2007, part of Huayuan Village in Nanyuan Township was added to You’anmen. In 2010, land east of Caihuying South Road was exchanged. It was given to Taipingqiao Subdistrict. In return, You’anmen received the area west of Caihuying South Road.
As of 2020, the population here was 73499. This gives You’anmen a density of 17000 people per square kilometer. That is about 44000 per square mile.
Today, You’anmen Subdistrict is made up of 20 subdivisions. These include 18 communities and 2 villages. The communities have names like Cuilin Yili and Yulinli. You will also find Xitieying and Dongbinhe Lu. Others include Dongzhuang, Yulin Dongli Yiqu and Yongle. There is also Kaiyangli Diyi and Yalinyuan Yi. The villages are Xitieying and You’anmen.
Although the old gate is gone You’anmen Subdistrict remains a vital part of Beijing. It has grown and changed over the years. It reflects the history and dynamism of this great city.