Geography of Beijing

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Geography of Beijing
Location of Beijing Municipality in northern China
Satellite image of Beijing Municipality, showing the city of Beijing (in pink) with mountains in the north and west and plains to the east and south
Continent Asia
Location North China Plain
Coordinates 39°54′N 116°24′E / 39.900°N 116.400°E / 39.900; 116.400
Area (municipality) Total: 16,801 square kilometres (6,487 sq mi)

mountain ranges. The city itself lies on flat land (elevation 20 to 60 m (66 to 200 ft)) that opens to the east and south. The municipality's outlying districts and counties
extend into the mountains that surround the city from the southwest to the northeast. The highest peaks are over 2,000 m (6,600 ft).

Beijing Municipality consists of six city districts (previously eight, see

Chongwen
), eight suburban districts and two rural counties. It covers a total area of 16,807.8 km2 (6,489.5 sq mi). By land area, the municipality is slightly larger than the country of
Hebei Province
, including a piece wedged between Beijing and Tianjin.

Historically, Beijing was situated on the border between

dust storms to Beijing. The city's climate
is characterized by hot, humid summers and cold, windy, and dry winters.

Layout of Beijing's administrative divisions

In imperial times, the old walled city of Beijing occupied 62 km2 (24 sq mi).[1] The physical size of the city has grown more than tenfold in recent decades to about 750 km2 (290 sq mi). The inner suburbs (1,282 km2 or 495 sq mi), and outer suburbs (3,198 km2 or 1,235 sq mi) provide further space for growth.[1] The remaining 12,239.9 km2 (4,725.9 sq mi) of the municipality consists of rural areas, nature reserves and lightly populated mountains.[1]

Map showing the core city districts (red), surrounding urban districts (blue), interior suburban districts (green) and the far north districts and counties (dark yellow)

Two urban districts,

Line 2 loop of the Beijing Subway traces the inner city wall. The 2nd Ring Road
outlines the combined walled city including the outer city.

The inner city is divided into eastern and western halves by Dongcheng and Xicheng Districts. The

Pagoda of Tianning Temple (b. 1119 A.D.) predate the Yuan capital. Unlike in most other parts of the city, most narrow lanes in Xuanwu are called jie instead of hutongs. Each of the two core city districts has population density
of over 20000 persons/km2 (51800 persons/sq. mi.)

Miyun County

Beyond the 2nd Ring Road, the city spreads out in a checkerboard fashion marked by concentric ring roads. Four other districts,

Beijing Central Business District (CBD), the Olympic Green, and even the Beijing Capital International Airport.[2]
Shijingshan is a heavily industrialized district in the foothills of the Western Hills. Fengtai spans across the south of urban Beijing.

Of the suburban districts further afield,

Thirteen Ming Tombs
.

Far north of the municipality in the Yanshan range are

Great Wall, with Badaling and Shuiguan in Yanqing, Mutianyu, Huanghuacheng and Jiankou in Huairou, and Gubeikou and Simatai
in Miyun, and Jiangjunguan in Pinggu.

Topography

Topography of Beijing

The city of Beijing lies on low and flat land, with elevation generally between 40–60 metres (130–200 ft) above sea level. The highest point inside the old walled city is at the top of Coal Hill in

Yangtze River
.

Jingshan, the highest point in the old walled city of Beijing

To the west is Xishan, also known as the Western Hills, which are visible from the city on clear days. Xishan forms the eastern flank of the Taihang Mountains range, which run north–south up the spine of Hebei province.[5] Xishan covers nearly all of Fangshan and Mentougou Districts west of the city. East Lingshan (elevation 2,303 metres (7,556 ft)), a Xishan peak on the border with Hebei, is the highest point in Beijing Municipality.[5] It is located 122 km (76 mi) from the city. Xishan is also known for high mountain meadows and scenic river gorges, including Shidu. Foothills of Xishan reach the city itself. They include Fragrant Hills, a major tourist attraction and Laoshan, the site of mountain bike competition in the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Drum Tower of Beijing
. Di'anmen Avenue runs along Beijing's median axis. Dongcheng District is to the right and Xicheng is to the left. The Yanshan range north of the city is faintly visible in the distance.
Badaling Great Wall in the Yanshan range

The mountains north of Beijing including

Great Wall sections were built in the Yanshan range, which reaches a height of 2,241 m (7,352 ft) at Haituoshan on the border between Yanqing County and Hebei.[5]

The Yanshan and Xishan ranges meet at Nankou, in Changping District, northwest of the city. The intersection creates a massive fault line and rift valley through which the city's main roads and railroads to the northwest pass.

Hydrology

Beihai lake and Qiongdao Island in downtown Beijing
Main article: Water management in Beijing

Several major

man-made lakes, moats, channels and aqueducts
, which provide water to the city and drain its refuse, but no longer threaten Beijing with flooding.

Marco Polo Bridge across the Yongding River

Downtown Beijing has several

Longtan Lake and on to Tongzhou.[6] A major flood in 295 A.D. devastated part of Beijing, then known as Ji. Just west of Wangfujing
, there is still a stretch of Beijing called Shatan or Sandy Beach.

The Tonghui canal, an extension of the Grand Canal, near Gaobeidian
Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace

Today, an aqueduct draws water from the Yongding through Yuyuantan Park to the western city moat, which empties into Liangshui River south of the city. Another aqueduct draws water from Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace down through the Purple Bamboo Park and into the northern city moat, which also replenishes Shichahai, Beihai and Zhongnanhai. The northern moats are drained by the Ba River, which flows into the Wenyu River. The southern and eastern moats are drained by the Tonghui River, which also flow into the Wenyu.

This network of rivers and aqueducts are fed by

Yangtze River through the Grand Canal
, which was built 800 years ago for transportation, but now is being upgraded into a major aqueduct.

Climate

Beijing
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
2.7
 
 
5
−6
 
 
4.9
 
 
10
−4
 
 
8.3
 
 
17
2
 
 
21
 
 
22
8
 
 
34
 
 
25
14
 
 
78
 
 
25
19
 
 
185
 
 
27
22
 
 
160
 
 
25
21
 
 
46
 
 
21
15
 
 
22
 
 
15
8
 
 
7.4
 
 
9
0
 
 
2.8
 
 
3
−6
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: CMA [7]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
0.1
 
 
40
20
 
 
0.2
 
 
50
26
 
 
0.3
 
 
62
35
 
 
0.8
 
 
72
46
 
 
1.3
 
 
76
56
 
 
3.1
 
 
77
66
 
 
7.3
 
 
80
72
 
 
6.3
 
 
78
69
 
 
1.8
 
 
69
59
 
 
0.9
 
 
58
46
 
 
0.3
 
 
48
32
 
 
0.1
 
 
38
22
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

The city's

precipitation was 410.77 millimetres (16.17 in), a majority of which occurred in the summer.[10]

Climate data for Beijing (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1951–present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.3
(57.7) 		25.6
(78.1) 		29.5
(85.1) 		33.5
(92.3) 		41.1
(106.0) 		41.1
(106.0) 		41.9
(107.4) 		39.3
(102.7) 		35.2
(95.4) 		31.0
(87.8) 		23.3
(73.9) 		19.5
(67.1) 		41.9
(107.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 2.3
(36.1) 		6.1
(43.0) 		13.2
(55.8) 		21.0
(69.8) 		27.2
(81.0) 		30.8
(87.4) 		31.8
(89.2) 		30.7
(87.3) 		26.5
(79.7) 		19.3
(66.7) 		10.3
(50.5) 		3.7
(38.7) 		18.6
(65.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) −2.7
(27.1) 		0.6
(33.1) 		7.5
(45.5) 		15.1
(59.2) 		21.3
(70.3) 		25.3
(77.5) 		27.2
(81.0) 		26.1
(79.0) 		21.2
(70.2) 		13.8
(56.8) 		5.2
(41.4) 		−1.0
(30.2) 		13.3
(55.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −6.9
(19.6) 		−4.2
(24.4) 		1.9
(35.4) 		9.0
(48.2) 		15.1
(59.2) 		20.0
(68.0) 		23.0
(73.4) 		22.0
(71.6) 		16.3
(61.3) 		8.8
(47.8) 		0.7
(33.3) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		8.4
(47.1)
Record low °C (°F) −22.8
(−9.0) 		−27.4
(−17.3) 		−15
(5) 		−3.2
(26.2) 		2.5
(36.5) 		9.8
(49.6) 		15.3
(59.5) 		11.4
(52.5) 		3.7
(38.7) 		−3.5
(25.7) 		−12.3
(9.9) 		−18.3
(−0.9) 		−27.4
(−17.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 2.2
(0.09) 		5.8
(0.23) 		8.6
(0.34) 		21.7
(0.85) 		36.1
(1.42) 		72.4
(2.85) 		169.7
(6.68) 		113.4
(4.46) 		53.7
(2.11) 		28.7
(1.13) 		13.5
(0.53) 		2.2
(0.09) 		528
(20.78)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 1.6 2.3 3.0 4.7 6.0 10.0 11.9 10.5 7.1 5.2 2.9 1.6 66.8
Average snowy days 2.8 2.5 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.7 2.8 11.2
Average
relative humidity
(%) 		43 42 40 43 47 58 69 71 64 58 54 46 53
Mean monthly sunshine hours 188.1 189.1 231.1 243.2 265.1 221.6 190.5 205.3 206.1 199.9 173.4 177.1 2,490.5
Percent possible sunshine 62 62 62 61 59 50 42 49 56 59 59 61 57
Average ultraviolet index 2 3 4 6 8 9 9 8 6 4 2 1 5
Source 1: China Meteorological Administration[11][12]
Source 2: Extremes[a] and Weather Atlas[16]

Note

  1. ^ All-time record high;[9] February record high;[13] May record high;[14] June record high[15]


Climate data for Beijing (1981–2010，year record 1951-2016)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.3
(57.7) 		16.1
(61.0) 		29.5
(85.1) 		31.9
(89.4) 		38.1
(100.6) 		39.6
(103.3) 		41.9
(107.4) 		37.3
(99.1) 		35.0
(95.0) 		31.0
(87.8) 		21.6
(70.9) 		13.4
(56.1) 		41.9
(107.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 1.8
(35.2) 		6.2
(43.2) 		12.8
(55.0) 		20.6
(69.1) 		27.0
(80.6) 		30.7
(87.3) 		32.1
(89.8) 		30.6
(87.1) 		26.6
(79.9) 		19.4
(66.9) 		10.2
(50.4) 		3.5
(38.3) 		18.5
(65.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.0
(26.6) 		0.7
(33.3) 		7.1
(44.8) 		14.8
(58.6) 		21.0
(69.8) 		25.1
(77.2) 		27.3
(81.1) 		25.9
(78.6) 		21.2
(70.2) 		13.9
(57.0) 		5.1
(41.2) 		−1.1
(30.0) 		13.2
(55.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −7.3
(18.9) 		−4.1
(24.6) 		1.8
(35.2) 		8.9
(48.0) 		15.0
(59.0) 		19.9
(67.8) 		23.1
(73.6) 		21.8
(71.2) 		16.3
(61.3) 		8.9
(48.0) 		0.6
(33.1) 		−5.1
(22.8) 		8.3
(47.0)
Record low °C (°F) −17
(1) 		−14.7
(5.5) 		−8
(18) 		−0.1
(31.8) 		7.7
(45.9) 		9.8
(49.6) 		16.0
(60.8) 		14.6
(58.3) 		7.5
(45.5) 		−3.4
(25.9) 		−9.5
(14.9) 		−13.5
(7.7) 		−27.4
(−17.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 2.8
(0.11) 		4.4
(0.17) 		9.9
(0.39) 		23.7
(0.93) 		37.6
(1.48) 		70.5
(2.78) 		159.6
(6.28) 		139.4
(5.49) 		48.7
(1.92) 		23.9
(0.94) 		9.6
(0.38) 		2.0
(0.08) 		532.1
(20.95)
Source: China Meteorological Administration[17]

Coordinates

Map of the earth centered at Beijing

With coordinates of 39° 54' 50 N and 116° 23' 30" E, Beijing shares roughly the same latitude as

Linchuan, Jiangxi; Changting, Fujian; Jieyang, Guangdong; Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; and Mataram, Indonesia
. The latitude of the municipality ranges from 39° 27' to 41° 03' N and in longitude from 115° 25' to 117° 30' E.

Beijing's

Viedma
.

Maps and satellite images

  • Beijing's urban extent
    Beijing's urban extent
  • Satellite image of the city of Beijing, with the Forbidden City in the center, just north of Tiananmen Square and east of a string of lakes. Also visible are Yuyuantan lake in the west and the southern city moat, which once surrounded the walled outer city.
    Satellite image of the city of Beijing, with the Forbidden City in the center, just north of Tiananmen Square and east of a string of lakes. Also visible are Yuyuantan lake in the west and the southern city moat, which once surrounded the walled outer city.
  • Satellite view of the city within the 6th Ring Road
    Satellite view of the city within the
    6th Ring Road
  • The Beijing area in 1875
    The Beijing area in 1875
  • Beijing in 1912
    Beijing in 1912
  • The old city in 1916
    The old city in 1916
  • Map of Beijing (labeled as PEI-P’ING (PEIPING) 北平) and nearby areas (1954)
    Map of Beijing (labeled as PEI-P’ING (PEIPING) 北平) and nearby areas (1954)
  • Beijing and vicinity in 1986
    Beijing and vicinity in 1986
  • Map showing the old walled city, including the inner and outer cities
    Map showing the old walled city, including the inner and outer cities


Animation zooming down to Beijing in 1978 via Landsat-3. The data then dissolves to Beijing in 2010 through the sensors of Landsat-5. The red areas are non-vegetated urban areas.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d (Chinese) 北京地理概貌 last accessed 11/18/08
  2. ^ The Beijing Capital Airport and the highway connecting it to the city are administered by Chaoyang District even though the airport is almost completely surrounded by Shunyi District.
  3. ^ (Chinese) Jingshan Park Archived 2008-08-04 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ (Chinese) Summer Palace Archived 2007-08-14 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ a b c (Chinese) [1] last accessed 11/16/08
  6. ^ (Chinese)陈平, 三、什刹海与陶然湖、古蓟城 June 6, 2008
  7. ^ 中国地面国际交换站气候标准值月值数据集（1981－2010年） (in Chinese). China Meteorological Administration. Archived from the original on 2013-03-18. Retrieved 2015-01-15.
  8. ^ "Beijing". People's Daily. March 2001. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
  9. ^ a b "Extreme Temperatures Around the World". Retrieved 2013-02-21.
  10. ^ "Basic Information". Beijing Municipal Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original on 2012-03-13. Retrieved 2008-02-09.
  11. ^ 1991-2020 normals "Climate averages from 1991 to 2020". China Meteorological Administration. Archived from the original on 2023-04-17.
  12. ^ 1981-2010 extremes 中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data (in Simplified Chinese). China Meteorological Administration. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  13. ^ 2021 February weather data "Global Surface Summary of the Day - GSOD". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 2023-04-30. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  14. ^ Burt, Christopher C. "UPDATE June 1: Record May Heat Wave in Northeast China, Koreas". Wunderground. Retrieved 2014-06-01.
  15. ^ Burt, Christopher C. ": Record June Heat Wave in Northeast China, Koreas". Wunderground. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
  16. ^ "Beijing, China - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast". Weather Atlas. Yu Media Group. Retrieved 2019-07-09.
  17. ^ 中国地面国际交换站气候标准值月值数据集（1981－2010年） (in Chinese). China Meteorological Administration. Archived from the original on 2013-03-18. Retrieved 2015-01-15.

External links

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