If you enjoy the happening atmosphere of big and rapidly growing cities, then China is the place to come. Feel the buzz of the urbanization rush in the fastest developing country in the history of the planet.
If you visit China, you could experience the excitement of life in some of the most densely populated places on the planet and some of China's most modern infrastructure.
The following are the largest 10 cities for urban area population in the Chinese mainland (excluding Taiwan and the Hong Kong special administrative regions).
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- Chongqing — 31.9 million people
- Shanghai — 24.8 million people
- Beijing — 21.8 million people
- Chengdu — 21.5 million people
- Guangzhou — 19 million people
- Shenzhen — 18 million people
- Wuhan — 13.8 million people
- Tianjin — 13.6 million people
- Xi'an — 13.2 million people
- Zhengzhou — 13.1 million people
1. Chongqing — 31.9 Million
- Area: 82,400 km²
- 2024 GDP: 3.22 trillion yuan (447 billion USD)
Chongqing is famous for its fog and mountains, and the Yangtze River cruise. Huge infrastructure and industrial investment have made it one of China's 10 largest cities.
Explore Chongqing’s 3D cityscape and savor its incredible food — the city’s top highlights.
2. Shanghai — 24.8 Million
- Area: 6,341 km²
- 2024 GDP: 5.39 trillion yuan (749 billion USD)
Shanghai is undoubtedly one of the most populous and wealthiest cities in China.
Shanghai is one of the best window cities to understand China’s future development, because it has modern financial hubs (like the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Lujiazui financial district) and tech hubs (including AI, robotics, and startup incubators), as well as a rich history and culture.
3. Beijing — 21.8 Million
- Area: 16,410 km² (1,600 sq mi)
- 2024 GDP: 4.98 trillion yuan (692 billion USD)
Beijing is large primarily because it is China's capital. It is actually China's largest city by area, as Shanghai's urban population is more concentrated.
It is a political, educational, and cultural center, with light industries (science, technology, and research) dominating over mass manufacturing.
It is a must-visit city for first-timers. You can directly experience China’s history and culture through its most famous landmarks — the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.
4. Chengdu — 21.5 Million
- Area: 14,335 km²
- 2024 GDP: 2.35 trillion yuan (327 billion USD)
Chengdu is an exception among large Chinese cities. The largest city in mostly mountainous or arid West China, it is a concentration of the population of the fertile Sichuan Basin. The pace of life is the most relaxed in China's large cities. Read more on How Long to Spend in Chengdu.
Though industry does play a part in Chengdu's economy and there has been significant domestic investment, its growth is mainly a result of the tide of urbanization driving the rural population towards the cities in search of a better life.
- 12-Day China Classic Wonders and Panda Keeper Experience Tour
- 3-Day Chengdu Giant Panda, Giant Buddha, and Ancient Town Tour
5. Guangzhou — 19 Million
- Area: 7,434 km²
- 2024 GDP: 3.1 trillion yuan (431 billion USD)
Guangzhou (Canton) is a mighty manufacturing base, drawing millions from the countryside to work in its factories. Vast quantities of clothing, electronics, plastic goods, and toys are shipped from Guangzhou all over the world.
A city that has sprung up recently with China's economic boom, it hosts the biannual China Import and Export Fair, or Canton Fair.
- 4-Day Guangzhou Qingyuan and Foshan Spring Blossoms Discovery Tour
- 6-Day Essence of Guangzhou and Zhangjiajie Tour
6. Shenzhen — 18 Million
- Area: 1,997 km²
- 2024 GDP: 3.68 trillion yuan (511 billion USD)
Shenzhen is located between Guangzhou and Hong Kong. It is a huge manufacturing center that has sprung up overnight. Feeding off the success of its neighbors, it is ranked fourth in China for industrial output, manufacturing higher technology products than Guangzhou in general, and with several of its own successful sunrise companies.
7. Wuhan — 13.8 Million
- Area: 8,569 km²
- 2024 GDP: 2.1 trillion yuan (294 billion USD)
Wuhan is an interesting large city, located in the center of the heavily populated half of China. It once felt less modernized than China's coastal cities, but it is now one of China's main high-tech, education, and financial centers.
It has long been a transportation hub, because it is in the middle of the long navigable part of the Yangtze River between Shanghai and Chongqing.
This city has a certain historical charm about it, and has been a key city since the Warring States Period (481—221 BC) due to its location. The people are unusually friendly compared to those in other cities. And, if you have a longer Yangtze cruise or a north-south train journey, you might really enjoy stopping there.
8. Tianjin — 13.6 Million
- Area: 11,966 km²
- 2024 GDP: 1.8 trillion yuan (250 billion USD)
Tianjin is a huge port and manufacturing center on the Bohai Gulf, with a significant history due to its key location on the Grand Canal, linking the Yangtze and the Yellow River.
Many of our customers get to Tianjin by international cruise and then transfer to Beijing. We offer Tianjin Port Transfer and Beijing Sightseeing tours.
- Recommended tour: 2-Day Beijing Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port
9. Xi'an — 13.2 Million
The Terracotta Warriors- Area: 10,108 km²
- 2024 GDP: 1.3 trillion yuan (185 billion USD)
Xi’an was once an ancient capital of China. It is one of the most important cities in the northwest. The city has a well-developed infrastructure and is a popular tourist destination.
For first-time visitors to China, Xi’an is a must-visit city. It offers a window into Chinese tradition and history. The Terracotta Warriors are its top highlight.
10. Zhengzhou — 13.1 Million
Shaolin Temple- Area: 7,567 km²
- 2024 GDP: 1.45 trillion yuan (202 billion USD)
Zhengzhou is the capital of Henan Province and a major transportation hub in central China. Zhengzhou offers a glimpse into the country’s rich history and culture. The Shaolin Temple, famous for its martial arts and Buddhist heritage, is the city’s top highlight.
See 6-Day Xi'an, Luoyang & Shaolin Highlights Tour
Discover China's Largest Cities with China Highlights
We provide many, many options for discovering China's cities. Here are our top recommended sample tours for a variety of big Chinese cities:
- A Close Encounter with Pandas — 13 days in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Chongqing, a Yangtze cruise ship, and Shanghai
- A Broad Taste of China — 12 days in Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Guilin, and Hong Kong
See more of our China tours or tell our travel advisors your interests, and we will tailor-make your China cities trip.
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