Qigezhuang Town

Seven kilometers northeast of central Beijing, nestled in Chaoyang District, lies Qigezhuang Town. Qigezhuang Town’s story intertwines with the broader narrative of Beijing. Qigezhuang, meaning “Cui family Villa”, takes its name from a local village, once home to the Cui family, where the present township government stands. In 1948, the land encompassing Qigezhuang Town was divided. Part belonged to the 9th District of Changshun County, Hebei Province. The other part fell within Beijing’s 13th District. After the Communist victory in 1949, Qigezhuang became part of Tong County, Hebei. Then, in 1956, Qigezhuang Town, along with the surrounding area, was incorporated into Beijing as part of Sunhe Township. The administrative history of Qigezhuang Town continued to evolve. In 1961, it was designated a management station. Its villages were reorganized into production teams, reflecting the collectivization of agriculture during that era. Qigezhuang Town transitioned to a management district in 1965, overseeing eight production teams. By 1974, it had become a single production team itself. Finally, in 1984, Qigezhuang Town was formally established as a township. In 2004, Qigezhuang Town absorbed Nangao Township and was designated an “area” while retaining its township status. This administrative reorganization reflects Beijing’s urban expansion and the integration of surrounding rural areas into the city. By 2021, Qigezhuang Town encompassed 22 subdivisions. These comprised seven communities and 15 villages. This blend of urban and rural characteristics makes Qigezhuang Town a unique microcosm of Beijing’s development. Qigezhuang Town is part of Cuigezhuang Area, located in northern Chaoyang District. This area encompasses 31.7 square kilometers. As of 2020, the population of the Cuigezhuang Area was over 107,000. This growth reflects the broader urbanization trends of Beijing and the surrounding region. Qigezhuang Town today is a blend of the old and the new. While it is now part of the bustling metropolis of Beijing, it retains echoes of its rural past.