The metabolic syndrome (MS) was a clustering of some cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertriglyceridemia, obesity, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and hypertension. MS patients are at a risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although the prevalence of MS in variety of ethnic group has been well documented, limited information is available about the prevalence in Chinese population. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of the MS and dyslipidemia among 16,342 subjects (8801 males and 7541 females) aged 20-90 years in Beijing. 51.9% males and 40.8% females had at least one abnormal serum lipid concentration. The age-standardized prevalence of MS was 13.2% according to Chinese Diabetes Society (CDS) definition of the MS. The prevalence increased with age in both genders. MS was more commonly seen in males than in females (15.7% versus 10.2%). According to the diagnostic criterion, dyslipidemia was observed in 51.9% of males and 40.8% of females, and there was obvious difference between them (P < 0.001). This report on the MS and dyslipidemia from Beijing professional population showed a high prevalence of these disorders. Efforts on promoting healthy diets and physical activity in China should be undertaken.