List of cities in China facts for kids

Cities in the People's Republic of China

China has many cities, and they are organized into different levels. These levels help manage the country's huge population and land. As of January 2024, there are 707 cities in China. This includes four special cities called municipalities, two Special Administrative Regions (like Hong Kong), and hundreds of other cities at different levels. This list does not include cities in Taiwan, which China claims but are governed by the Republic of China.

Understanding China's City System

In China, cities are organized into three main types, like a pyramid:

Provincial-Level Cities

These are the biggest and most important cities. They are so large and important that they are managed directly by the central government, just like a province.

• Direct-administered Municipalities: There are four of these super-cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Tianjin. They include not just the busy city center but also large suburban and rural areas around them. For example, Chongqing is home to over 32 million people!
• Special Administrative Regions (SARs): These are Hong Kong and Macau. They have their own special rules and a high level of freedom in how they are run, even though they are part of China.

Prefecture-Level Cities

Most of China's cities are prefecture-level cities. Think of these as big cities that also manage several smaller areas around them, like counties or other smaller cities. They are usually very large in area and population.

• There are 293 prefecture-level cities. Some of these are called sub-provincial cities, which means they are very important and have more power than regular prefecture-level cities.

County-Level Cities

These are smaller cities that are usually part of a larger prefecture-level city. They are like the towns and smaller cities you might find within a larger county in other countries.

• China has 408 county-level cities. Some of these are called sub-prefectural cities, which means they have more direct control over their own affairs.

How Cities are Ranked (Tier System)

China uses a "tier system" to rank its cities. This system started in the 1980s to help with planning and development. Over time, it has also become a way to describe how modern and international a city feels.

• Tier 1 Cities: These are the biggest and most developed cities. They are Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. They are like the global hubs of China, with lots of businesses, opportunities, and a fast-paced lifestyle.
• Tier 2 Cities: These are other major cities that are also very important, but perhaps not as big or famous as the Tier 1 cities. They are still large and growing quickly.
• Tier 3 and 4 Cities: These are smaller and medium-sized cities. They might be less known internationally but are still important centers for their local regions.

This tier system helps people understand a city's importance, especially for things like jobs and lifestyle.

List of Cities in China

Here is a list of some of the cities in China, organized by their province or region. The cities highlighted in lavender are prefecture-level cities, while those in moccasin are direct-administered municipalities, and thistle are Special Administrative Regions.

Cities That Changed Names

Some cities in China have changed their names over the years. Here are a few examples:

See also

• List of cities in China by population
• List of cities in Taiwan