50 Largest Cities in China by Population

Written by Maren Hamilton | Updated April 15,2026

Given that China has one of the largest populations in the world with over 1.4 billion citizens, it’s no surprise that the country is full of megacities – but what defines a “megacity” or “supercity” in China’s classification system? In China, it is classified according to population.

Megacities are defined as cities that count 10 million or more in population, and cities have over 5 million but less than 10 million population are big cities. Currently, Chongqing, Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu are the four largest ones with a population of more than 20 million.

So, did you know which ones are the biggest, or what they’re like? If you’re curious which cities in China have the largest population and what makes each of them special, look no further: here’s a list of the top 10 biggest cities in China (according to data from 2025), as well as a short introduction of what they have to offer.

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• 10 Most Populous Cities in China
• List of Top 50 Chinese Mainland Cities by Population
• What’s the best way to get around these massive cities?
• Plan a Trip to China’s Largest Cities with China Xian Tour

10 Most Populous Cities in China

1. Chongqing (31.87 Million)

• Area: 82400 km²

With about 31.87 million inhabitants, Chongqing is the biggest city in China, even larger than New York. So, why is Chongqing so much larger than other cities on the list? The main reason is its special administration division.

Covering an area of about 82,400 square kilometers, Chongqing is much larger than Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu, with the areas of about 6,340, 16,410, and 14,335 square kilometers, respectively. So its area is closer to a province and the population is also large.

Four mountains traverse through Chongqing, so it forms a unique city landscape of “mountains are in the city, and the city is on the mountains.” About 90% of the city is mountains and hills. That’s why Chongqing is widely known as the “mountain city”.

You might know it best for its hot pot and notoriously spicy cuisine, or maybe you’ve watched videos of people going up and down endless escalators as they navigate the mountainous city, but there’s so much more to the city as well.

Not only does it have one of the most beautiful nightscapes in all of China, but it’s also full of unique historical attractions like Hongya Cave, Fengdu Ghost City, and the Dazu rock carvings. Even better, it’s a great location to start a Yangtze River cruise. Combining over 3,000 years of history with a vibrant modern culture, it’s no wonder so many people choose to live there.

How to visit

• Best time to visit: March – May, September – November
• How long to stay: 4 – 5 days
• Where to stay: Jiefangbie Area, Hongya Cave
• Culinary experiences: hotpot, hot and sour rice noodles, small noodles
• Top things to do: 1) Appreciate the night scenery of Hongya Cave; 2) Watch the light rail passing through buildings; 3) Overlook the city by the Yangtze River Cableway

Recommended Chongqing Tours:

• 4 Days Chongqing 8D Magic City Tour
• 5 Days Chongqing Highlights and Nature Tour

2. Shanghai (24.85 Million)

• Area: 6340.5 km²

Shanghai has 24.85 million inhabitants, making it the second largest city in China by population. One of China’s best known cities, it’s also arguably one of the most cosmopolitan as well.

The city is a complex mix of international and domestic influences, featuring both traditional Chinese architecture in Yuyan Garden and the Old City of Shanghai and colonial European architecture in popular tourist destinations like the Former French Concession and the west bank of the Bund.

Shanghai is also famous for its delicately flavoured cuisine (especially xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings) and its amazing shopping opportunities, making it a perfect destination for anyone who’s looking for a more modern and luxurious experience in China.

How to visit

• Best time to visit: March – May, September – November
• How long to stay: 3- 5 days
• Where to stay: Nanjing Road, Pudong New District, Jing’an District
• Culinary experiences: Pan-fried pork buns, xiaolongbao, Shanghai cuisines, crab noodles
• Top things to do: 1) Marvel at the various architectures and the cluster of skyscrapers in the Bund; 2) Stroll in the Yu Garden and the French Concession

Recommended Tours:

• 3 Days Classic Private Shanghai City Tour
• 5 Days Classic Shanghai Tour with Zhouzhuang Water Town

3. Beijing (21.80 Million)

• Area: 16410.5 km²

The next city on our list is the capital city of China, Beijing, which has a population of 21.80 million. Since “Peking” is just an older way of writing “Beijing”, it is not surprising that the city is the best place to eat Peking duck and watch Peking Opera. More importantly, however, if you’re a history fan or want to see more of ancient Chinese culture and architecture, this is the place to be.

While many only think of it as the country’s administrative capital, it’s also full of iconic landmarks like the Forbidden City, the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, and more. Beijing’s hutongs (alleys filled with traditional homes), too, are as much a reflection of the past as they are a living part of the city today.

How to visit

• Best time to visit: September – October
• How long to stay: 4- 5 days
• Where to stay: Dongcheng District, XichengDistrict, Chaoyang District
• Culinary experiences: Peking duck, noodles with soybean paste, instant-boiled mutton
• Top things to do: 1) Climb the Great Wall; 2) Explore cultural relics in the Forbidden City and Summer Palace; 3) Experience local life in Hutong

Recommended Beijing Tours:

• 5 Days Beijing Classic Tour
• 2 Days Beijing Essence Tour: with Mutianyu & Forbidden City

4. Chengdu (21.53 Million)

• Area: 14335 km²

With 21.53 million inhabitants, the next major city we’ll look at in China is Chengdu. As the capital of Sichuan Province, the city offers lots of spicy food, often using the famous “mala” or numbing spice of Sichuan peppercorn.

While the city offers some historical attractions, such as the Sanxingdui Museum, which features artifacts from a mysterious civilisation from over 3000 years ago, and Dufu Thatched Cottage, a stunning cottage refuge of a Tang poet, Chengdu is perhaps even better suited to nature lovers when you consider its surroundings.

Mount Emei and the Leshan Giant Buddha are both in the same province, making the city a great gateway for people who want to go hiking. Most importantly, though, Chengdu is one of the best places in China to see one of the country’s most famous icons: giant pandas!

How to visit

• Best time to visit: March – June, September – November
• How long to stay: 3 – 4 days
• Where to stay: Jinli Street, Kuanzhai Alley, Chunxi Road
• Culinary experiences: Skewers hotpot, dandan noodles, wontons, spicy rabbit head
• Top things to do: 1) Watch lovely pandas in Panda Base; 2) Wander in the Du Fu Thatched Cottage; 3) Taste local food and appreciate ancient buildings in Jinli Street and Kuanzhai Alley

Recommended Chengdu Tours:

• 3 Days Chengdu City Tour
• 4 Days Chengdu Panda Volunteer Tour with Leshan Giant Buddha

5. Guangzhou (18.98 Million)

• Area: 7434.4 km²

Guangzhou is the fifth biggest city by population in China, with a total population of 18.98 million residents. Located in Guangdong, also known as Canton, this city has a good balance of both history and modernity.

You can get to know China’s revolutionary history better at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, take in colonial architecture while relaxing on Shamian Island, or explore folk art in an old imperial exam study hall at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall. At the same time, however, you can take in stunning light shows and eat in a revolving restaurant at Canton Tower and enjoy the lights of the city at night on a Pearl River cruise.

How to visit

• Best time to visit: October – Next April
• How long to stay: 3 – 4 days
• Where to stay: Tianhe District, Yuexiu District
• Culinary experiences: Morning tea, roasted meats, claypot rice, dessert soup, slow-cooked soup
• Top things to do: 1) Enjoy morning tea; 2) Have a Pearl River Night Cruise; 3) Overlook the city in Canton Tower

Recommended Tours including Guangzhou:

• 8 Days Guangzhou Canton In-depth Tour
• 4 Days Guangzhou and Foshan Cultural Tour

6. Shenzhen (17.99 Million)

• Area: 1997.5 km²

The next Chinese megacity on our list is Shenzhen, which has a population of 17.99 million people. Also located in Guangdong, this is the first city on our list that can be said to be fully modern. While you can still get a taste of ancient life in Nantou Ancient City, Shenzhen itself was little more than a fishing village until the 1970s.

If you’re looking for a high-tech experience, Shenzhen is the perfect stop, especially if you go to Huaqiangbei Electronics Market. Even if you aren’t, however, Shenzhen has something for everyone: beaches, a huge nature reserve, theme parks, an “artist village”, and more. Best of all, however, the city attracts migrants from all over the country, making it a great place to experience all kinds of Chinese cuisine without having to travel the whole country.

How to visit

• Best time to visit: October – Next April
• How long to stay: 2- 4 days
• Where to stay: Futian District, Nanshan District
• Culinary experiences: Coconut chicken hotpot, Hakka cuisines, seafood, modern Cantonese cuisines
• Top things to do: 1) Explore various architectures in Window of the World; 2) Spend leisure time in Shenzhen Bay Park or Dameisha Seaside Park; 3) Marvel at the magnificent Shenzhen skyline.

Recommended Tours:

• 6 Days Shenzhen- Guilin Impression Tour by High-speed Train
• 4 Days Hong Kong and Shenzhen Tour by High-speed Train

7. Wuhan (13.86 Million)

• Area: 8569.2 km²

Wuhan has 13.86 million inhabitants, making it the next most populous city in China. Not only is it an important industrial base in modern China, it also has a history that stretches back over 3,500 years. Said to be Mulan’s hometown, many nearby natural landmarks are named after her, such as Mulan Mountain, Mulan Heavenly Lake, and Mulan Grassland.

The city is also a common stop on Yangtze River cruises, and a great place to visit on an empty stomach as it hosts Hubu Alley, a food street that formed during the Ming dynasty. Our recommendation: try the city’s most iconic dish, Wuhan hot dry noodles (see also Top 10 Chinese Noodles).

How to visit

• Best time to visit: March -April, October – November
• How long to stay: 2 – 3 days
• Where to stay: Wuchang District, Jianghan District
• Culinary experiences: Hot dry noodles, marinated duck neck, Wuchang fish
• Top things to do: 1) Taste local breakfast in Hubu Alley; 2) Cycle around East Lake; 3) View cultural relics in Hubei Provincial Museum

8. Tianjin (13.63 Million)

• Area: 11966.5 km²

With a population of 13.63 million, Tianjin is the next largest city by population in China. Located near Beijing, this city is often overlooked by tourists, but it has a surprising amount to offer.

The port city was opened to foreign trade after the Second Opium War, and you can still see the vestiges of that period of history today. The Five Great Avenues, for example, is full of European-style architecture, as is the Italian Style Town, which unsurprisingly stands in the place of the former Italian Concession.

There are other unique landmarks as well, such as the Porcelain House, another attraction whose name more or less explains itself. Overall, Tianjin is a hugely underrated destination in China, but perhaps that’s its greatest strength, as it offers a more laid-back vibe than any of the other cities on the list.

How to visit

• Best time to visit: April – May, September – October
• How long to stay: 2 – 3days
• Where to stay: Heping District, near Tianjin Railway Station
• Culinary experiences: Goubuli steamed buns, pancake rolled with crisp fritters, twisted fried dough

Top things to do: 1) Overlook the city by The Tientsin Eye Ferris Wheel; 2) View the international architecture complexes; 3) Listen to cross talks

9. Xi’an (13.17 Million)

• Area: 10108 km²

The next stop on the list is Xi’an, a city with a population of 13.17 million. This city is another great place for history lovers, as it’s one of China’s historic capitals. Here you can find one of China’s most iconic historical attractions, the Terracotta Army, but that’s not all the city has to offer.

The Great Mosque of Xi’an, for example, is fascinating for its unique combination of Chinese and Islamic architecture, and the Wild Goose Pagoda features a blend of Chinese, Indian, and Nepalese styles. Another great place to experience the city’s history is the ancient wall, which can be biked or walked on and which offers great views of Xi’an.

How to visit

• Best time to visit: April – May, September – October
• How long to stay: 3 – 4 days
• Where to stay: near Bell Tower, Qujiang New District
• Culinary experiences: Chinese hamburger, lamb paomo, Biangbiang noodles, cold noodles
• Top things to do: 1) Admire underground soldiers and chariots in the Terracotta Army; 2) Cycle on the City Wall; 3) Learn city history in the Shaanxi History Museum

Top Xi’an Tours:

• 3 Days Xian Private Trip: History Exploration & Tang Costume Experience
• 4 Days Xian Classic Tour with Mt. Huashan

10. Zhengzhou (13.09 Million)

• Area: 7567 km²

Rounding out our list of the top 10 largest cities by population in China is Zhengzhou, which has 13.09 million inhabitants. Located in central China, Zhengzhou is the capital city of Henan Province and a vital transportation hub (especially for railways) in China. Most people choose Zhengzhou as the first destination on their Henan tours.

The city once served as the capital of the Shang Dynasty (16th – 11th century BC) over 3,500 years ago. The long history endowed it with rich cultural sites, with Shaolin Temple at the foot of Mount Songshan the most famous. Visitors can also visit the Henan Museum in the city center to bear witness to the very origins of Chinese civilization.

How to visit

• Best time to visit: April – May, September – October
• How long to stay: 2 – 3days
• Where to stay: Jinshui District, near Erqi Square
• Culinary experiences: Stewed noodles, spicy and peppery soup, Yellow River carp
• Top things to do: 1) Learn Chinese Kungfu in Shaolin Temple; 2) Visit the magnificent Yellow River Scenic Area; 3) Experience history and culture in Henan Museum and Yellow Emperor’s Native Place

Related reading: Major China City Area Codes and Zip Codes

List of Top 50 Chinese Mainland Cities by Population

The data below is sourced from the official websites of local statistics bureaus. Generally, the 2026 census data is expected to be released in 2027, so the figures provided are the latest 2025 census data.

Plan a Trip to China’s Largest Cities with China Xian Tour

If you want to get first-hand experience with China’s vibrant, bustling megacities, there’s no better way than going with China Xian Tour. Offering both preset and custom tours all over China for all kinds of travellers, you’ll get the benefit of local knowledge to make sure you make the most of your travels. Whether you’re looking for a food tour, a tour of historic landmarks, a nature tour, or something else entirely, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for with us.