How Big Is Beijing?

China · Asia

Area

16,411 km²

6,336 mi²

Population

21.5M

Metro: 21.5M

Density

1,313/km²

Founded

1045 BC

Beijing Size Overview

Beijing covers an area of 16,411 km² (6,336 mi²) in China, Asia. Capital city of China. The city is often called "Northern Capital". To put this in perspective, Beijing is about 2.6x the size of Shanghai. In more relatable units, that's about 2,300,000 American football fields, 160 times the area of Paris, or 140 times the area of San Francisco.

Beijing, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's most populous national capital city, as well as China's second-largest city by urban area, after Shanghai. It is located in Northern China, and is governed as a municipality under the direct administration of the State Council with 16 urban districts.

With a population of 21.5 million (21.5 million in the metropolitan area), Beijing has a population density of 1,313 people per km².

Beijing has a history stretching back to around 1045 BC. The city is renowned for Forbidden City, Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and Temple of Heaven.

Beijing has a humid continental climate, with summer temperatures averaging 27°C and winters around -3°C. The city's main public transit system is the Beijing Subway.

Did You Know?

  • With over 22 million residents, Beijing is the world's most populous national capital city.
  • Beijing is governed as a direct-administration municipality under the State Council, organized into 16 urban districts.
  • Once romanized as Peking, Beijing is China's second-largest city by urban area, trailing only Shanghai.

Compare Beijing with Other Cities

Compare Beijing with any city using our interactive map tool.

Cities Similar in Size to Beijing

Beijing covers 16,411 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Hangzhou (16,854 km²), Brisbane (15,826 km²), Chengdu (14,378 km²), Sydney (12,368 km²), or Xi'an (10,097 km²).

Frequently Asked Questions about Beijing

How big is Beijing in square miles?
Beijing covers 16,411 km², which is approximately 6,336 square miles.
What is the population of Beijing?
Beijing has a population of approximately 21.5 million people. The greater metropolitan area is home to 21.5 million.
What is the population density of Beijing?
Beijing has a population density of 1,313 people per km² (3,401 per mi²).
How does Beijing compare to Shanghai?
Beijing covers 16,411 km² while Shanghai covers 6,341 km². Beijing is 2.6x larger. Use our interactive map tool to compare them side by side.
Can I compare Beijing with other cities on a map?
Yes! City Map Compare lets you compare Beijing with any of 50+ cities side by side on synchronized maps. Both maps maintain the same zoom level so you can see the real difference in size.