Beijing Decoded | Why Beijing Is Divided Into 16 Districts and What Each One Means

Tell a Beijinger which district you live in and they already think they know everything about you. A Day In Beijing is an English-language Beijing podcast inspired by the history, innovations, and people of Beijing; created and hosted by a born-and-raised Beijinger. It exists not only as your virtual travel guide, your dictionary to China, but also to challenge and break the colonial narratives that have been shaping Beijing and China. This is Part 3, aka the finale, of the Beijing City Planning series. Part 1 covered Beijing’s name and the 2,000-year-old blueprint. Part 2 walked through the nine inner city gates and the logistics system that kept a million people fed. This episode maps the 16 districts that make up modern Beijing; from the power centre of 西城 to the “sleep city” suburbs of 通州; and the social ladder that connects them. 🙏 I’m no historian I research every episode the best I can. If anything sounds off, let me know. I’m always learning and this podcast gets better with your help. 🌏 Planning a trip to Beijing? I run small, responsible cultural experiences that support independent businesses and local communities. DM me. 🎧 Search “A Day In Beijing”, it’s also available on: Spotify / Apple Podcasts / YouTube Music / Goodpods / 小宇宙 / Substack 🌐 adayinbeijing.carrd.co 📸 Instagram: @a_day_in_beijing / @chen_backinbeijing ✉️ [email protected]