Chaoyang Facts
Introduction
Step out of Beijing International Airport, and you instantly find yourself in Chaoyang District. Chaoyang, at the heart of Beijing’s CBD, is Beijing’s window on the world and is the home of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Occupying 47,038 square kilometres (sq.km) of land and with a population of 2.52 million, it is the largest and densest district in Beijing. Chaoyang’s natural look is enhanced by seasonal changes and eight rivers that wind their way through the district resulting in a beautiful combination of nature and urban modernization.
Before the adoption of China’s “opening-up” policy, Chaoyang District was the biggest industrial area in Beijing, with many heavy, textile, chemical, automobile, electronics and medical industrial bases. But now, Chaoyang District has diversified to offer much greater potential. Its economic achievements are impressive when compared with Beijing’s other districts. The average annual disposable income of the residents in Chaoyang District in 2003 was 13,898 yuan (US$1,681). The average yearly income of the rural residents of Chaoyang District was 9,755 yuan (US$1,180). The total income of the district government was 5.66 billion yuan (US$673 million).
The tax revenue of Chaoyang District accounts for one percent of the total tax revenue of China. Chaoyang District has won many national plaudits, including two Model District awards for excellence in community spirit-focused architecture, and in environment design. Continuing to meet its challenges and make the most of its opportunities, Chaoyang has a promising future.
Business Chaoyang
Beijing CBD
With an area of 3.99 square kilometres (sq.km), Central Business District (CBD) Chaoyang is home to around 3,000 domestic and foreign companies. Like other world-famous districts such as Manhattan in New York City and Zhonghuan in Hong Kong, CBD provides an excellent investment environment, convenient transportation, and a high-speed telecommunications system. Office towers, hotels, first-class apartments and multiple service organizations involved in finance, IT and intermediary service industries make Chaoyang Beijing’s biggest and most rapidly developing economic area. CBD has become a symbol of modern Beijing.
Four Big Business Areas
After more than a decade of steady development, Chaoyang District has abundant logistical resources, highly qualified people and a world-class financial service industry. It has developed four key business areas: the China World Trade Center Area (Guomao), the Chaowai Area, the Lufthansa Area, and the Asia Games Area. The China World Trade Center area, promoted as “the Golden Cross,” is where Jianguomenwai (the extension of Beijing’s premier avenue) intersects the East Third Ring Road. It is one of the most modern and prosperous economic areas in Beijing. The Chaowai and Lufthansa business areas, near embassy areas, have many office towers and financial organizations. The Yayuncun area arose after the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing and has become a dynamic business area with great potential.
Investment Services
Chaoyang provides four main investment services as follows:
1. Modern service industries such as telecommunications, Internet, and mass media
2. Financial service industries such as banks, insurance companies, securities, trusts and funds
3. Intermediary services such as accounting, auditing, appraisal, and law
4. New service industries such as education, training, exhibitions and conferences
To attract and assist investors, Chaoyang is the first district in Beijing to build an investment service hall with on-line consultants, an investment approval system, and a telephone-based consultant voice message box system. It is the first in China to commence services for “Green Olympics” projects.
Consultation and approval Website: http://www.cyish.org
Voice message box tel: +86 10 6597 3300
Hotline for “Green Olympics” projects: +86 10 6597 8215
Address: Second floor Business Center, Jingguang Center, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Post code: 100020
Business hours: 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Convenient Transportation
The Capital International Airport is the first stop for friends from abroad and connects Chaoyang District with the outside more closely than other districts. Riding into town on the Airport Expressway, you will get a feeling for the pace of Beijing’s modernization and globalization.
The six ring roads are part of a comprehensive traffic system that includes the Badaling, Jingtong, Jingjintang, Jingshen, Jingcheng and Jingha expressways connecting downtown with the suburbs. Subways, Light Rail and express and regular buses form a developing, convenient inner-city transportation network
Olympic Chaoyang
Olympic Park
Olympic Park in Chaoyang District will be the heart of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It is on the northern end of Beijing’s axis and covers 12.15 square kilometres (sq.km). To the north lies the Olympic Forest Park. To the south are: 14 stadiums, Olympic Village, Media Centre, International Radio and TV Centre, National Sports Museum, China International Exhibiton Centre and National Olympic Sports Centre.
After 2008, Olympic Park plans to become Beijing’s biggest multi-function community with trade centres, business centres, exhibition halls, large-scale stadiums and entertainment facilities. It will be the one of Beijing’s landmarks.
Developed Sports Business
Chaoyang District, Beijing’s most developed sporting area, has the largest share of first-class stadiums and sporting facilities in the city. The Workers’ Stadium was the first to host both domestic and international football games. The National Olympic Centre, in Chaoyang’s north (Yayuncun) is one of the biggest sports buildings in Beijing, containing Yingdong Swimming Centre, modern track and field facilities, football fields, tennis courts, hockey fields, baseball diamonds, and mini-golf courses.
Chaoyang’s sports facilites have welcomed thousands, and all of China is proud to witness that some among them have become Olympic champions, such as Lang Ping (world volleyball champion), Yang Lin, (world shooting champion), Dong Jiong, (world badminton champion) and Xie Jun (world chess champion). Besides being a well-known sports training centre for athletes, Chaoyang has become an entertainment district for the whole of Beijing.
Internationalization
Features
Chaoyang District hosts the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and three embassy areas with 146 embassies. It also has more than half of Beijing’s star-rated hotels, first-class office buildings and international exchange centres. It is the first choice for expatriates choosing where to live in Beijing.
Gathering Places for Foreign Companies and Foreign Organizations
Chaoyang has attracted thousands of foreign companies and organizations. Statistics indicate that 60 percent of foreign companies and 90 percent of foreign organizations in Beijing have registered in Chaoyang, which includes two-thirds of the world’s top 500 companies.
Friendly Communications
Chaoyang has built and maintained a productive and co-operative relationship with 18 international city districts, including Manhattan in New York City, Minato and Ota District in Tokyo, Gangnam District in Seoul, Tamworth in Australia, Aix-En-Provence in France, and Mitte District in Berlin.
Science and Education
Scientific Development
The emergence of numerous high-tech facilitators, including digital buildings, business incubators, and high-speed telecommunication lines indicate that Chaoyang’s continuing development of e-business is surging ahead. Zhongguancun Jianxiang Scientific Park is a good example of areas featuring everything required for high-tech success.
Modern Agriculture
Chaoyang District has a flourishing urban agriculture industry, including green and special-breeding industries. Xiedao Zoology Agriculture Park, Chaolai Agriculture Park, Tongsheng High-Tech Agriculture Park and Jinzhan Tulip Park are models of modern integrated agricultural areas.
Education
Chaoyang District has 310 primary and middle schools, including both normal and model schools. Chenjinglun Middle School is an award-winning model school; Fangcaodi Primary School has been open to foreign students since 1958. Chaoyang District has three first-level middle schools, eight international primary schools and other elementary schools. It provides diverse opportunities for students. Chaoyang District also has an improving higher education system with 53 universities, which include recognized centres of excellence such as The Central Art Academy, Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University, China Central Music Academy and Beijing Broadcasting Institute.
Leisure Time in Chaoyang
Entertainment
Chaoyang District hosts various entertainment activities: football games or bowling at the Workers’ Stadium, practicing karaoke in the “Melody†Entertainment Centre, ice-skating at China World Trade Center, enjoying a drink in a Sanlitun bar, and thrilling to acrobatics at Chaoyang, to list only a few.
Food
Local residents or visitors from all over the world can enjoy a great variety of cuisines in more than 5,000 restaurants in Chaoyang District. Excellent Beijing Roast Duck, Cantonese food, Sichuan food, Lu food, and western food are all available here.
Shopping
Shopping is a key activity in modern life. Shopping centres such as the China World Shopping Mall, Youyi Shopping City Lufthansa Center, and Pacific Shopping Center make shopping activities enjoyable in Beijing. Panjiayuan Antique Market, Curio City, and Gaobeidian Traditional Furniture Street are major attractions for antique-collectors both at home and abroad.
Tourism
Besides modern architecture, Chaoyang District is also famous for its unique cultural relics and sites. One can visit Dongyue Temple, the biggest in Northern China; the Temple of the Sun, one of the four famous temples in Beijing; Yuandadu Ruins Park, remains of the capital of the Yuan Dynasty; the Bali Bridge, one of the three oldest bridges in Beijing; and many other fascinating historical places. In addtion, Chaoyang Park, China Ethnic Culture Park, Honglingjin Park and Tuanjiehu Park tell the story of Chaoyang’s history.
Home in Chaoyang
Green Environment
If Chaoyang can be described by a colour, that colour is green. Chaoyang’s green coverage is 41 percent of its total area, accounting for one-half the total green areas in Beijing. 7.6 square kilometres (sq.km) Olympic Forest Park, a green belt totalling 68.55 sq.km, the green belts along the Airport Expressway and the Forth Ring Road, theme parks, and many public green areas, all provide ideal places of relaxation for residents.
Medical Services
There are more than 1,100 medical institutions throughout Chaoyang District, guaranteeing the medical needs of people living in Chaoyang. There are also several joint-venture medical institutions in Chaoyang District, including: Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital, Anzhen Hospital, Chaoyang Hospital, Beijing International Medical Center, Beijing SOS Hospital, Arrail Dental and United Family Hospital.
Cultural Environment
The Capital Library, Century Theatre, Yan Huang Art Museum, and Zitan Museum are all situated in Chaoyang District. Large-scale concerts and performances are frequently held in Chaoyang. People’s Daily, China Daily, Beijing Broadcasting and Television Group, and Beijing Youth Daily, as well as more than 60 percent of foreign news agencies have their offices in Chaoyang. The opening of China Movie and Television City and Beijing Television Station puts Chaoyang in the spotlight of the world’s media. News reporters are gathering in Chaoyang to focus on Beijing, on China, and on the globe.
Colourful Community Activities
Chaoyang is home for many expatriates living in Beijing. Living in Chaoyang is just like living in a global village. In Chaoyang, everyone enjoys their daily life regardless of skin colour or nationality. The colleges for senior citizens, chess rooms, gymnasiums, yangge teams and teenager entertainment rooms greatly enrich people’s lives.
