Through successive action plans, Beijing's southern districts—Fengtai, Daxing, Fangshan, and Yizhuang—have evolved from foundational development to high-level growth. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, these areas have rapidly transformed from underdeveloped zones into dynamic economic hubs. Data shows that in the first four years of the plan, the GDP of southern Beijing surged by over 285.7 billion yuan, marking a 51.3% increase compared to the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan. This growth reflects improvements in urban governance and public welfare.
**Quality Resources Converge** Three "experimental schools" have been established in the southern districts. In September, Beijing No. 4 Experimental School welcomed its first cohort of students. Located in Daxing's Yufa Town, just 5-6 km from Beijing Daxing International Airport, about a third of its students are children of employees from the airport's economic zone.
The previous southern Beijing action plan saw the airport's opening and the formation of a new economic zone. However, attracting businesses and residents required addressing educational gaps. To tackle this, Beijing No. 4 Experimental School was planned as a 12-year institution, with teachers trained in advance at affiliated schools.
Three experimental schools now serve the southern districts: No. 4 in Daxing, No. 5 in Fengtai, and No. 6 in Fangshan. Additionally, key schools like Tsinghua University High School Fangshan Branch and Beijing Institute of Technology Experimental School have been built to address educational shortages in densely populated areas. Since 2021, over 33,000 school seats have been added.
**Healthcare Upgrades** Several top-tier hospitals have opened in the south, including Peking University First Hospital's Daxing branch and Beijing Stomatological Hospital. Beijing Children's Hospital's new campus is under construction, while Fengtai Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine has been upgraded. Over 8,000 medical beds have been added since 2021.
**Integrated Transportation** The Lize Urban Airport Terminal, a five-layer underground hub, is taking shape. It will connect metro lines 14, 16, and Daxing Airport Express, streamlining transfers between rail, air, and road transport. The terminal is expected to open by late 2025.
Recent metro expansions, including lines 14, 16, and 19, have enhanced connectivity between southern and northern Beijing. Road projects like Jingliang Road West have cut travel times by 30 minutes for Fangshan residents.
**Industrial Clusters Thrive** Yizhuang has emerged as a hub for commercial aerospace, hosting 75% of China's private rocket firms. The "Beijing Rocket Street" development, repurposed from an old factory, will support rocket and satellite manufacturing. Nearby amenities include parks, hospitals, and transit links.
Southern Beijing now boasts six 100-billion-yuan industrial clusters: high-end autos, rail transit, aerospace, biopharma, IT, and industrial internet. Emerging sectors like robotics and semiconductors are nearing similar scale.
**Ecological Revival** The Nanyuan Forest Wetland Park, restoring historic "Southern Hunting Grounds" scenery, has drawn over 1.8 million visitors this year. Other green spaces, like Lize's Jindadu Park, are enhancing livability.
**Urban Revitalization** The South Central Axis is becoming a cultural and retail hotspot. JD.com's first Beijing MALL, repurposed from a wholesale market, has attracted 1.5 million shoppers with monthly sales hitting 150 million yuan. The Dahongmen area now hosts 500+ tech and cultural firms, symbolizing the district's shift from textiles to innovation.
Major projects like the National Museum of Natural History's new campus and the Central Ballet's "Wings of Ballet" theater are underway, cementing the south's role as Beijing's next growth engine.