With an impressive array of places of historical interest, scenic spots and institutes of higher learning, Haidian District has developed into a leading cultural center.

Places of historical interest here include the Fragrant Hills Park, the Summer Palace, the Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park, the Temple of Great Awakening, and the Big Bell Temple. In addition, there are many newly-built sites, such as China Millennium Altar, Beijing Arts Museum, China Science and Technology Museum, and the 405-meter high CCTV Tower, the fifth tallest building in the world. Haidian District is the seat of over 50 institutions of higher learning, including the internationally-famous Peking University and Tsinghua University, as well as over 100 scientific research institutes such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In addition, there are a lot of on-going developments in Haidian District. The district has put forward its goal to “industrialize cultural activities” and as stated in the Guidelines to the Development of Haidian District, it is now focusing on the development of five cultural industries and on the establishment of six cultural function areas, with a view to facilitating its cultural, educational, scientific and technological development simultaneously with its robust economic growth.

As is stated in the Guidelines, up to 2008, Haidian District will continue to develop its five cultural industries, namely the publishing industry, the movie industry, the tourism industry, the digital entertainment industry and the performance and exhibition industry. To this end, the district is going to set up six cultural function areas: 1) Western Zhongguancun Business-Culture Area, which, by combining the development of Western Zhongguancun and the reconstruction of Haidian Book City, aims to attract business organizations from all over the world to headquarter in this area for the sharing of experience and resources. 2) The RUC Technical Service Area, which, by supporting the construction of RUC Cultural Science and Technology Park, aims to become a place that provides business and law consultation services in the near future. 3) The Golden Resources Shopping Mall, which, by fully utilizing its area of 16,000 square kilometers, will develop into a mega leisure area. 4) The Royal Garden Tourist Area, which, by revamping the surrounding areas of the Fragrant Hills Park, the Summer Palace, and the Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park, will develop into a world-class tourism destination. 5) The Xishan Tourist Area and Daoxiang Lake Tourism Area; and 6) the Consumers’ Area, which is made up of Wudaokou, Fushi Road and Shangdi, etc.

With its unique cultural heritage and current developments, Haidian District readily provides those who are working and living here with a high-quality cultural life.