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Literally translated to ‘West City’, the administrative district of Xicheng is located west of Beijing’s centre. It is the political hearth of both the city of Beijing and the People’s Republic of China. Even though it is renowned for housing communist party ministries and residences, it is also famous for shopping, dining, and a thriving nightlife.

The Beijing Zoo and Aquarium is certainly a landmark in Xicheng that must be visited. The zoo is relatively old, but still houses some very intriguing animal species including pandas and tigers. The aquarium is among the world’s largest. It is an extremely impressive destination for the whole family. Aquatic species from all over the globe are located inside the aquarium including sharks, reef fish, and rays. Tourists need to be aware that tickets to the zoo and aquarium are sold separately.

The White Cloud Temple is a religious landmark built during the Ming Dynasty, and currently stands as one of the most famous temples in Beijing. It is a Daoist structure, and includes five primary halls such as the Yuhuang Hall ad Laolu Hall. The historic Qiu Chuji’s birthday celebration is a large-scale festival held each January in White Cloud Temple.

The dining scene in Xicheng is among Beijing’s finest, but it isn’t just a place to go for expensive meals. There is a large range of cuisine and prices across the district. Everything from Sichuan, Xinjiang, Beijing, and Manchurian dishes to western-style pizza can be found here. Houhai is a great eating destination for travellers on a budget or tourists looking for traditional Chinese delights. The Houhai area is also a great spot for quiet socialising after dark. Cafés, pubs and live-music venues are available and some enticing clubs like Dao Club and Lunar Bar.

Xidan is the district’s popular shopping area. It boasts a variety of department stores selling a host of different goods, although clothing stores are common here. Some of the malls operating in Xicheng’s Xidan district include Joy City, Grand Pacific, and the high-end Beijing Capital Times Square.