Did you know that Changping District is Beijing’s most populous suburb? As of 2020 its population was 2269487. Changping sits in the north and northwest suburbs. It was formerly known as Changping County.
Changping boasts a rich history. Changping County was established in the Han dynasty. Jundu County administered the area too. During the Northern Wei dynasty Changping was incorporated into Jundu. The condition reversed during the Eastern Wei. Changping was promoted to Changping subprefecture. It had jurisdiction over Miyun Shunyi and Huairou. This happened during the Ming dynasty. Later these counties transferred to Shuntian Prefecture. Changping became a county again after the Xinhai Revolution. It transferred to Beijing from Hebei in 1956.
Changping covers a large area. It spans 1430 square kilometers. That is 550 square miles. It contains two subdistricts and 15 towns. Five of these towns are Beijing suburbs. In 2012 the population was 1.83 million. This was a rapid increase from 2000. The 2000 census recorded 614821 people. Changping is about 34 kilometers from the city center. That’s about 21 miles. It is known for scenic spots and tourist facilities. The Datangshan museum is one example. Changping also has abundant natural resources. It is rich in mineral and rural products.
The urban area of Changping is fairly compact. It covers 16 square kilometers. That is 6.2 square miles. Its estimated population is 130000. Other major urban areas include Nankou and Yangfang.
Changping experiences a humid continental climate. The average annual temperature is 13.0 °C. That’s 55.4 °F. Annual rainfall averages 517.9 mm. That is 20.39 inches. July is the wettest month. The highest temperatures occur in July. They average around 26.8 °C. That is 80.2 °F. January sees the lowest temperatures. They average around -3.0 °C. That is 26.6 °F.
Administratively Changping includes several subdistricts and towns. These include Chengbei Subdistrict and Chengnan Subdistrict. Huilongguan Subdistrict and Longzeyuan Subdistrict are also present. Shigezhuang Subdistrict and Tiantongyuanbei Subdistrict exist too. The district also contains Tiantongyuannan Subdistrict and Huoying Subdistrict. Towns include Dongxiaokou and Nankou. Machikou and Shahe are towns as well. Yangfang town and Xiaotangshan town are further examples. Nanshao town and Cuicun town are part of Changping. Baishan town and Beiqijia town are included. Liucun town Shisanling town Xingshou town and Yanshou town complete the list.
Changping’s economy is substantial. In 2017 the regional GDP was 83.97 billion yuan. The GDP per capita reached 40.7 thousand yuan.
Changping offers several notable features. The Ming Dynasty Tombs are located here. The Cloud Platform at Juyong Pass is a highlight. This is one of the Great Wall’s three great mountain passes. The 2008 Summer Olympics triathlon took place here. Qincheng Prison is near Xiaotangshan. Wonderland Amusement Park is another feature.
The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has its headquarters here.
Changping offers good transport links. Four metro lines serve the district. These are operated by Beijing Subway. One commuter line also serves Changping. This is operated by Beijing Suburban Railway. Lines 5 8 13 and the Changping line all run here.
Several colleges and universities call Changping home. These include China University of Petroleum. Peking University has a Changping Campus. The Central University of Finance and Economics is here. Beihang University operates here as well. China Foreign Affairs University is located here. China University of Political Science and Law also has a Changping Campus.
Changping District No 1 High School and Changping District No 2 High School are public schools. Beijing Huijia Private School Beijing Royal School are private options. The Korean International School in Beijing was once in Changping.
Points of interest include the Shisanling Reservoir and Jiutai Road.