| Administrative divisions of China |
|---|
|
History: before 1912, 1912–49, 1949–present Administrative division codes |
Area (simplified Chinese: 地区; traditional Chinese: 地區; pinyin: Dìqū) is a type of township-level divisions of China that is only used within Beijing. It is an intermediate designation between the rural township or town and the more urban subdistrict, and is given to settlements resembling desakotas.[1]
Usually, each area within Beijing will also carry its previous respective designation as a town or township, and the town/township government will take additional role as the area office (Chinese: 地区办事处). Such a system is referred to as "One agency, two nameplates" (Chinese: 一个机构，两个牌子). For the most part, the area and town/township will share the same place name, such as Nanmofang and Liangxiang. However, there are also exceptions, such as the town name of Wanliu Area being Haidian.
Area as a township-level divisions was first implemented inside Chaoyang District, with the creation of 4 areas in 1993. Below is a table listing the creation dates of all areas:[2]
| Year | District | Areas Created |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Chaoyang | Nanmofang, Gaobeidian, Jiangtai and Taiyanggong |
| 1994 | Mentougou | Wangping |
| 1998 | Shunyi | Renhe, Houshayu, Tianzhu, Yangzhen, Niulanshan and Nanfaxin |
| 1999 | Chaoyang | Sunhe |
| Fangshan | Liangxiang | |
| Shunyi | Mapo | |
| Changping | Nankou, Machikou and Shahe | |
| 2000 | Fangshan | Zhoukoudian and Liulihe |
| Tongzhou | Liyuan and Yongshun (Both abolished in 2020)[3] | |
| 2001 | Haidian | Wanliu and Dongsheng |
| 2002 | Chaoyang | Xiaohongmen and Changying |
| Huairou | Huairou, Yanqi and Miaocheng | |
| Pinggu | Yuyang, Yukou, Mafang and Jinhaihu | |
| 2003 | Chaoyang | Shibalidian, Pingfang, Dongfeng, Laiguangying, Sanjianfang, Guanzhuang and Dongba |
| 2004 | Chaoyang | Jinzhan, Cuigezhuang, Heizhuanghu, Dougezhuang and Wangsiying |
| Changping | Dongxiaokou and Huilongguan (The latter was planned to be abolished in 2015, and actually abolished in 2019)[4] | |
| 2005 | Daxing | Yizhuang, Huangcun, Jiugong and Xihongmen |
| Miyun | Tanying | |
| 2007 | Daxing | Yinghai |
| 2010 | Fengtai | Lugouqiao, Huaxiang and Nanyuan (All of which were abolished in 2021)[5] |
| 2011 | Haidian | Wenquan, Sijiqing, Xibeiwang, Sujiatuo and Shangzhuang |
| 2012 | Mentougou | Yongding and Longquan |
As of 2021, these are a total of 56 areas within Beijing. They are listed as follows:[6]