Zhoukoudian Town () is a town on the east Fangshan District, Beijing, China. It borders Nanjiao and Fozizhuang Townships to its north, Xiangyang, Chengguan and Yingfeng Subdistricts to its east, Shilou and Hancunhe Towns to its south, and Xiayunling Town to its west. Its population was 41,868 in the 2020 census.
History
+Timeline of Zhoukoudian Area's HistoryYearStatus1916Part of the 2nd District of Fangshan County1949Part of the 7th District1952Formed as Zhoukoudian Microdistrict, under Jingxi Mining District1953Made into a township1956Incorporated Zhoukoucun Township1958Incorporated Xizhuang and Xinjie Townships. Became part of Chengguan People's Commune in May.1961Chengguan People's Commune renamed to Zhoukoudian People's Commune1963Made into a town1989Made into an area1993Incorporated Huangshandian Township and Changgouyu Area2000Became a town while retaining the status of an area
Administrative divisions
In 2021, Zhoukoudian Area was formed by 29 subdivisions, of those 5 were communities and 24 were villages: Administrative division codeSubdisvision namesName transliterationType110111009001周口店ZhoukoudianCommunity110111009002长沟峪ChanggouyuCommunity110111009003金巢JinchaoCommunity110111009004红光HongguangCommunity110111009005鑫山矿XinshankuangCommunity110111009200南韩继NanhangjiVillage110111009201瓦井WajingVillage110111009202新街XinjieVillage110111009203大韩继DahanjiVillage110111009204辛庄XinzhuangVillage110111009205周口村ZhoukoucunVillage110111009206云峰寺YunfengsiVillage110111009207周口店ZhoukoudianVillage110111009208娄子水LouzishuiVillage110111009209拴马庄ShuanmazhuangVillage110111009210黄院HuangyuanVillage110111009211龙宝峪LongbaoyuVillage110111009212黄山店HuangshandianVillage110111009213黄元寺HuangyuansiVillage110111009214良各庄LianggezhuangVillage110111009215西庄XizhuangVillage110111009216车厂ChechangVillage110111009217涞沥水LailishuiVillage110111009218泗马沟SimagouVillage110111009219北下寺BeixiasiVillage110111009220葫芦棚HulupengVillage110111009221长流水ChangliushuiVillage110111009222山口ShankouVillage110111009223官地GuandiVillage
Geography and Climate Zhoukoudian Town is situated in the mountainous western portion of Fangshan District, approximately 50 kilometers southwest of central Beijing. The town occupies an area of 121.2 square kilometers characterized by limestone hills and cave formations that have made the region significant for paleontological research. The terrain consists of rolling hills in the north transitioning to steeper mountains in the southern sections, with elevations ranging from 80 to 400 meters above sea level.
The region experiences a typical continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid with average temperatures reaching 26-28°C (79-82°F) in July and August, while winters are cold and dry with January temperatures averaging -4 to -6°C (21-25°F). Annual precipitation averages 600-650 millimeters, with approximately 75% falling during the summer months between June and August. The area's limestone geology has created numerous karst features including caves, sinkholes, and underground water channels that have been crucial to the preservation of ancient fossil remains.
The town's location along historical transportation routes between Beijing and the western mountainous regions contributed to its development as a mining and agricultural center before gaining prominence for its archaeological significance in the early 20th century.
Landmark Zhoukoudian Peking Man Site
See also List of township-level divisions of Beijing
References