Prefecture-level city

Prefecture-level city Prefectural-level city
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese	地级市
Traditional Chinese	地級市
Literal meaning	Regional-level city
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Dìjíshì Hakka Romanization thi-kip-sṳ: Yue: Cantonese Jyutping dei6 kap1 si5
Tibetan name
Tibetan	ས་ཁུལ་རིམ་པ་གྲོང་ཁྱེར།
Transcriptions Wylie sa khul rim pa drong khyer Tibetan Pinyin Sakü Rimba Chongkyêr
Mongolian name
Mongolian Cyrillic	Дугаргийн энтэй хот
Mongolian script	ᠲᠣᠭᠣᠷᠢᠭ ᠤᠨ ᠡᠩ ᠲᠡᠢ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ
Transcriptions SASM/GNC toγoriγ-un en-tai qota
Uyghur name
Uyghur	ۋىلايەت دەرىجىلىك شەھەر‎
Transcriptions Latin Yëziqi Wilayet Derijilik Sheher

A road sign shows distance to the "Huangshi urban area" (黄石市区) rather than simply "Huangshi" (黄石). This is a useful distinction, because the sign is located already within Huangshi prefectural level city (immediately upon entering its Yangxin County from the neighboring Xianning), but still 100 kilometres (62 mi) from the Huangshi main urban area.

A prefecture-level city (Chinese: 地级市; pinyin: Dìjíshì) or prefectural city is an administrative division of the People's Republic of China (PRC), ranking below a province and above a county in China's administrative structure.

During the Republican era, many of China's prefectural cities were designated as counties as the country's second level division below a province. From 1949 to 1983, the official term was a province-administrated city (Chinese: 省辖市). Prefectural level cities form the second level of the administrative structure (alongside prefectures, leagues and autonomous prefectures). Administrative chiefs (mayors) of prefectural level cities generally have the same rank as a division chief (Chinese: 司长) of a national ministry. Since the 1980s, most former prefectures have been renamed into prefectural level cities.

A prefectural level city is a "city" (Chinese: 市; pinyin: shì) and "prefecture" (Chinese: 地区; pinyin: dìqū) that have been merged into one consolidated and unified jurisdiction. As such it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal entry with subordinate districts, and a prefecture with subordinate county-level cities and counties which is an administrative division of a province.

A prefectural level city is often not a "city" in the usual sense of the term (i.e., a large continuous urban settlement), but instead an administrative unit comprising, typically, a main central urban area (the core city, city as in the usual sense, usually with the same name as the prefectural level city) surrounded by rural areas, which together are divided into districts, and some surrounding counties or county-level cities governed by the prefecture-level city on behalf of the province, which all have their own urban areas surrounded by their own rural areas. The urban areas of the surrounding counties are usually smaller than the core urban area, and towns also form small urban areas scattered in the rural. The larger prefectural level cities span over 100 kilometres (62 mi).

Prefectural level cities nearly always contain multiple counties, county level cities, and other such sub-divisions. This results from the fact that the formerly predominant prefectures, which prefectural level cities have mostly replaced, were themselves large administrative units containing cities, smaller towns, and rural areas. To distinguish a prefectural level city from its actual urban area (city in the strict sense), the term shìqū (市区; "urban area"), is used.

The first prefectural level cities were created on 5 November 1983. Over the following two decades, prefectural level cities have come to replace the vast majority of Chinese prefectures; the process is still ongoing.

Most provinces are composed entirely or nearly entirely of prefectural level cities. Of the 22 provinces and five autonomous regions of the PRC, only nine provinces (Yunnan, Guizhou, Qinghai, Heilongjiang, Sichuan, Gansu, Jilin, Hubei, and Hunan) and three autonomous regions (Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia) have at least one or more second level or prefectural level divisions that are not prefectural level cities. In the case of the disputed Taiwan, it has six prefectural level cities, but these are governed separately by the Republic of China as their special municipalities.

Criteria that a prefecture must meet to become a prefectural level city:

• An urban centre with a non-rural population over 250,000
• gross output of value of industry of 200,000,000 RMB (US$32 million)
• the output of the tertiary sector supersedes that of the primary sector, contributing over 35% of the GDP

Fifteen large prefectural level cities have been granted the status of sub-provincial city, which gives them much greater autonomy.

Shijiazhuang, Suzhou, and Zhengzhou are the largest prefectural level cities with populations approaching or exceeding some sub-provincial cities.

A sub-prefecture-level city is a county-level city with powers approaching those of prefectural level cities.

Classification

There are a total of three classifications of prefecture-level cities:

• Regular prefectural level city, which consists of counties, county level cities, and districts subdivisions.
• Consolidated district-governed prefectural level city, which only consists of districts as subdivisions.
  • Currently there are only 13 cities under this classification: Ezhou, Foshan, Guangzhou, Haikou, Karamay, Nanjing, Sansha, Sanya, Shenzhen, Wuhai, Wuhan, Xiamen, and Zhuhai
• Prefectural level city with no county-level divisions (direct-piped city), which are cities that do not govern any county-level divisions such as counties, county level cities, or legal administrative districts.
  • Currently there are only four cities under this classification: Danzhou, Dongguan, Jiayuguan, and Zhongshan

Cartographic expression and statistics

In Europe and North America, cities are generally represented as points, while counties are represented as areas. Thus, Bloomington, Indiana, is indicated on the map by a point, which is distinct from, and enclosed by, the area of Monroe County, Indiana. In China, however, large cities such as Xianning may, in reality, contain both urban and rural elements. Moreover, they may enclose counties or other cities. On a less detailed map, Xianning would be indicated by a point, more or less corresponding to the coordinates of its city government. Other populous areas may also be exhibited as points, such as the county of Tongshan, with no indication that Tongshan is, in fact, enclosed by Xianning. On a more detailed map, Xianning would be drawn as an area, similar to a county of the United States, and Tongshan would be drawn as a smaller area within Xianning.

This convention may lead to difficulty in the identification of places mentioned in older sources. For example, Guo Moruo writes that he was born in the town of Shawan, within the prefecture of Leshan, and attended primary school in the town of Jiading. A modern map is unlikely to show either town: Shawan, because it is too small, and Jiading, because it is the seat of Leshan, and is therefore indicated on the map by a point labelled "Leshan." A more detailed map would show Shawan as a district within Leshan, but Jiading would still be missing.

Statistics of China such as population and industrial activity are generally reported along prefectural city lines. Thus, the relatively unknown city of Huangshi has 2.5 million residents, more than most European capitals, but upon closer inspection, the city covers an area almost 100 kilometers across. Furthermore, Huangshi contains several other cities, such as Daye. If a person wished to calculate the population of the urban area of Huangshi, and had a map of Huangshi, and a table of its population by district, the task might not be easy. The urban area might be split between several districts, and some of those districts may include rural elements as well.

Prefecture-level city list

As of April 2023, there are 299 prefecture-level cities total. 293 are under the control of the People's Republic of China, while six of these are under the control of Taiwan.

City	Chinese	Province	Area (km²)	Founded (PRC)	Former divisions
Anqing	安庆市	Anhui	13,528	1979-11-04	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Bengbu	蚌埠市	Anhui	5,959	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Bozhou	亳州市	Anhui	8,429	2000-05-21	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Chizhou	池州市	Anhui	8,399	2000-06-25	Reorganized from Chizhou Prefecture (池州地区)
Chuzhou	滁州市	Anhui	13,433	1992-12-20	Reorganized from Chuxian Prefecture (滁县地区)
Fuyang	阜阳市	Anhui	10,119	1996-01-01	Reorganized from Fuyang Prefecture (阜阳地区)
Hefei	合肥市	Anhui	11,496	1949-10-01	Carved out of Hefei County (合肥县)
Huaibei	淮北市	Anhui	2,732	1960-04-16	Upgraded from Huaibei Mining District (淮北矿区)
Huainan	淮南市	Anhui	5,650	1951-01-18	Upgraded from Huainan Mining District (淮南矿区)
Huangshan	黄山市	Anhui	9,678	1987-11-27	Reorganized from Huizhou Prefecture (徽州地区)
Lu'an	六安市	Anhui	15,351	1999-09-02	Reorganized from Lu'an Prefecture (六安地区)
Ma'anshan	马鞍山市	Anhui	4,049	1956-10-12	Upgraded from Ma'anshan Mining District (马鞍山矿区)
Suzhou	宿州市	Anhui	9,787	1998-12-06	Reorganized from Suxian Prefecture (宿县地区)
Tongling	铜陵市	Anhui	2,992	1971-12-11	Reorganized from Tongling Prefecture (铜陵特区)
Wuhu	芜湖市	Anhui	6,026	1972-12-30	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Xuancheng	宣城市	Anhui	12,340	2000-06-25	Reorganized from Xuancheng Prefecture (宣城地区)
Fuzhou	福州市	Fujian	11,788	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Longyan	龙岩市	Fujian	19,052	1996-11-20	Reorganized from Longyan Prefecture (龙岩地区)
Nanping	南平市	Fujian	26,312	1994-09-05	Reorganized from Nanping Prefecture (南平地区)
Ningde	宁德市	Fujian	13,644	1999-11-14	Reorganized from Ningde Prefecture (宁德地区)
Putian	莆田市	Fujian	3,895	1983-09-09	Carved out of Putian County (莆田县)
Quanzhou	泉州市	Fujian	10,864	1985-05-14	Reorganized from Jinjiang Prefecture (晋江地区)
Sanming	三明市	Fujian	23,191	1983-04-28	Reorganized from Sanming Prefecture (三明地区)
Xiamen	厦门市	Fujian	1,701	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Zhangzhou	漳州市	Fujian	12,608	1985-05-14	Reorganized from Longxi Prefecture (龙溪地区)
Baiyin	白银市	Gansu	21,210	1985-05-14	Upgraded from Baiyin District, Lanzhou (兰州市白银区)
Dingxi	定西市	Gansu	20,330	2003-04-04	Reorganized from Dingxi Prefecture (定西地区)
Jiayuguan	嘉峪关市	Gansu	2,935	1971-09-10	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Jinchang	金昌市	Gansu	8,927	1981-02-09	Carved out of Yongchang County (永昌县)
Jiuquan	酒泉市	Gansu	189,997	2002-06-18	Reorganized from Jiuquan Prefecture (酒泉地区)
Lanzhou	兰州市	Gansu	13,083	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Longnan	陇南市	Gansu	27,838	2004-01-11	Reorganized from Longnan Prefecture (陇南地区)
Pingliang	平凉市	Gansu	11,169	2002-06-02	Reorganized from Pingliang Prefecture (平凉地区)
Qingyang	庆阳市	Gansu	27,119	2002-06-22	Reorganized from Qingyang Prefecture (庆阳地区)
Tianshui	天水市	Gansu	14,431	1985-07-08	Reorganized from Tianshui Prefecture (天水地区)
Wuwei	武威市	Gansu	33,238	2001-05-09	Reorganized from Wuwei Prefecture (武威地区)
Zhangye	张掖市	Gansu	40,826	2002-03-01	Reorganized from Zhangye Prefecture (张掖地区)
Chaozhou	潮州市	Guangdong	3,098	1991-12-07	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Dongguan	东莞市	Guangdong	2,512	1988-01-07	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Foshan	佛山市	Guangdong	3,875	1975-11-22	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Guangzhou	广州市	Guangdong	7,436	1954-06-19	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Heyuan	河源市	Guangdong	15,644	1988-01-07	Upgraded from Heyuan County (河源县)
Huizhou	惠州市	Guangdong	11,159	1988-01-07	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jiangmen	江门市	Guangdong	9,554	1975-11-22	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Jieyang	揭阳市	Guangdong	5,269	1991-12-07	Upgraded from Jieyang County (揭阳县)
Maoming	茂名市	Guangdong	11,345	1975-11-22	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Meizhou	梅州市	Guangdong	15,925	1988-01-07	Reorganized from Meixian Prefecture (梅县地区)
Qingyuan	清远市	Guangdong	19,265	1988-01-07	Upgraded from Qingyuan County (清远县)
Shantou	汕头市	Guangdong	2,123	1975-11-22	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Shanwei	汕尾市	Guangdong	4,957	1988-01-07	Carved out of Haifeng County (海丰县)
Shaoguan	韶关市	Guangdong	18,398	1975-11-22	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Shenzhen	深圳市	Guangdong	2,019.95	1979-03-05	Upgraded from Bao'an County (宝安县)
Yangjiang	阳江市	Guangdong	8,006	1988-01-07	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Yunfu	云浮市	Guangdong	7,778	1994-04-05	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Zhanjiang	湛江市	Guangdong	11,692	1975-11-22	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Zhaoqing	肇庆市	Guangdong	15,006	1988-01-07	Reorganized from Zhaoqing Prefecture (肇庆地区)
Zhongshan	中山市	Guangdong	1,770	1988-01-07	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Zhuhai	珠海市	Guangdong	1,696	1979-03-05	Upgraded from Zhuhai County (珠海县)
Baise	百色市	Guangxi	36,206	2002-06-02	Reorganized from Baise Prefecture (百色地区)
Beihai	北海市	Guangxi	3,337	1983-10-08	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Chongzuo	崇左市	Guangxi	17,331	2002-12-23	Reorganized from Nanning Prefecture (南宁地区)
Fangchenggang	防城港市	Guangxi	6,227	1993-05-23	Upgraded from Fangcheng County (防城各族自治县)
Guigang	贵港市	Guangxi	10,596	1995-10-27	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Guilin	桂林市	Guangxi	27,809	1961-11-25	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Hechi	河池市	Guangxi	33,494	2002-06-18	Reorganized from Hechi Prefecture (河池地区)
Hezhou	贺州市	Guangxi	11,855	2002-06-18	Reorganized from Hezhou Prefecture (贺州地区)
Laibin	来宾市	Guangxi	13,386	2002-09-29	Reorganized from Liuzhou Prefecture (柳州地区)
Liuzhou	柳州市	Guangxi	18,652	1961-11-25	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Nanning	南宁市	Guangxi	22,341	1961-12-23	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Qinzhou	钦州市	Guangxi	10,783	1994-06-28	Reorganized from Qinzhou Prefecture (钦州地区)
Wuzhou	梧州市	Guangxi	12,582	1961-11-25	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Yulin	玉林市	Guangxi	12,839	1997-04-22	Reorganized from Yulin Prefecture (玉林地区)
Anshun	安顺市	Guizhou	9,269	2000-06-23	Reorganized from Anshun Prefecture (安顺地区)
Bijie	毕节市	Guizhou	26,852	2011-10-22	Reorganized from Bijie Prefecture (毕节地区)
Guiyang	贵阳市	Guizhou	8,035	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Liupanshui	六盘水市	Guizhou	9,914	1978-12-18	Reorganized from Liupanshui Prefecture (六盘水地区)
Tongren	铜仁市	Guizhou	18,002	2011-10-22	Reorganized from Tongren Prefecture (铜仁地区)
Zunyi	遵义市	Guizhou	30,750.41	1997-06-10	Reorganized from Zunyi Prefecture (遵义地区)
Danzhou	儋州市	Hainan	3,405	2015-02-19	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Haikou	海口市	Hainan	2,297	1986-05-31	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Sansha	三沙市	Hainan	673	2012-06-21	Upgraded from XNZ Islands Authority (西沙群岛、南沙群岛、中沙群岛办事处)
Sanya	三亚市	Hainan	1,921	1987-11-20	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Baoding	保定市	Hebei	22,135	1983-11-15	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Cangzhou	沧州市	Hebei	13,488	1983-11-15	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Chengde	承德市	Hebei	39,719	1983-11-15	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Handan	邯郸市	Hebei	12,066.18	1983-11-15	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Hengshui	衡水市	Hebei	8,758	1996-05-31	Reorganized from Hengshui Prefecture (衡水地区)
Langfang	廊坊市	Hebei	6,420	1988-09-13	Reorganized from Langfang Prefecture (廊坊地区)
Qinhuangdao	秦皇岛市	Hebei	7,813	1983-03-03	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Shijiazhuang	石家庄市	Hebei	14,530	1978-03-11	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Tangshan	唐山市	Hebei	13,829	1978-03-11	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Xingtai	邢台市	Hebei	12,143	1983-11-15	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Zhangjiakou	张家口市	Hebei	36,303	1983-11-15	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Daqing	大庆市	Heilongjiang	21,643	1965-12-28	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Harbin	哈尔滨市	Heilongjiang	53,186	1954-06-19	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Hegang	鹤岗市	Heilongjiang	14,665	1966-02-08	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Heihe	黑河市	Heilongjiang	68,285	1993-02-08	Reorganized from Heihe Prefecture (黑河地区)
Jiamusi	佳木斯市	Heilongjiang	32,470	1983-10-08	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jixi	鸡西市	Heilongjiang	22,551	1966-02-08	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Mudanjiang	牡丹江市	Heilongjiang	38,827	1983-10-08	Reorganized from Mudanjiang Prefecture (牡丹江地区)
Qiqihar	齐齐哈尔市	Heilongjiang	44,287	1964-01-15	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Qitaihe	七台河市	Heilongjiang	6,221	1983-10-08	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Shuangyashan	双鸭山市	Heilongjiang	22,802	1966-02-08	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Suihua	绥化市	Heilongjiang	35,211	1999-12-28	Reorganized from Suihua Prefecture (绥化地区)
Yichun	伊春市	Heilongjiang	32,800	1979-12-14	Reorganized from Yichun Prefecture (伊春地区)
Anyang	安阳市	Henan	7,355	1982-03-10	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Hebi	鹤壁市	Henan	2,299	1974-01-19	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Jiaozuo	焦作市	Henan	4,072	1974-01-19	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Kaifeng	开封市	Henan	6,247	1961-12-25	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Luohe	漯河市	Henan	2,617	1986-01-18	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Luoyang	洛阳市	Henan	15,492	1964-04-30	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Nanyang	南阳市	Henan	26,591	1994-07-01	Reorganized from Nanyang Prefecture (南阳地区)
Pingdingshan	平顶山市	Henan	7,874	1969-03-15	Reorganized from Pingdingshan Prefecture (平顶山特区)
Puyang	濮阳市	Henan	4,266	1983-09-01	Upgraded from Puyang County (濮阳县)
Sanmenxia	三门峡市	Henan	10,475	1986-01-18	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Shangqiu	商丘市	Henan	10,658	1997-06-10	Reorganized from Shangqiu Prefecture (商丘地区)
Xinxiang	新乡市	Henan	8,629	1982-03-10	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Xinyang	信阳市	Henan	18,819	1998-06-09	Reorganized from Xinyang Prefecture (信阳地区)
Xuchang	许昌市	Henan	4,977	1986-01-18	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Zhengzhou	郑州市	Henan	7,507	1949-10-01	Upgraded from Zheng County (郑县)
Zhoukou	周口市	Henan	11,968	2000-06-08	Reorganized from Zhoukou Prefecture (周口地区)
Zhumadian	驻马店市	Henan	14,974	2000-06-08	Reorganized from Zhumadian Prefecture (驻马店地区)
Ezhou	鄂州市	Hubei	1,505	1983-08-19	Upgraded from Echeng (鄂城市) & Echeng County (鄂城县)
Huanggang	黄冈市	Hubei	17,453	1995-12-23	Upgraded from Huanggang Prefecture (黄冈地区)
Huangshi	黄石市	Hubei	4,576	1950-08-30	Reorganized from Huangshi Special District (黄石特区)
Jingmen	荆门市	Hubei	12,100	1983-08-19	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jingzhou	荆州市	Hubei	14,104	1994-09-29	Reorganized from Jingzhou Prefecture (荆州地区) & Shashi (沙市市)
Shiyan	十堰市	Hubei	23,698	1973-02-17	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Suizhou	随州市	Hubei	9,636	2000-06-25	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Wuhan	武汉市	Hubei	8,483	1954-06-19	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Xiangyang	襄阳市	Hubei	19,626	1979-06-21	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Xianning	咸宁市	Hubei	10,019	1998-12-06	Reorganized from Xianning Prefecture (咸宁地区)
Xiaogan	孝感市	Hubei	8,941	1993-04-10	Reorganized from Xiaogan Prefecture (孝感地区)
Yichang	宜昌市	Hubei	21,081	1979-06-21	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Changde	常德市	Hunan	18,190	1988-01-23	Reorganized from Changde Prefecture (常德地区)
Changsha	长沙市	Hunan	11,816	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Chenzhou	郴州市	Hunan	19,342	1994-12-17	Reorganized from Chenzhou Prefecture (郴州地区)
Hengyang	衡阳市	Hunan	15,300	1980-02-20	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Huaihua	怀化市	Hunan	27,573	1997-11-29	Reorganized from Huaihua Prefecture (怀化地区)
Loudi	娄底市	Hunan	8,110	1999-01-20	Reorganized from Loudi Prefecture (娄底地区)
Shaoyang	邵阳市	Hunan	20,822	1980-02-20	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Xiangtan	湘潭市	Hunan	5,005	1980-02-20	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Yiyang	益阳市	Hunan	12,320	1994-03-07	Reorganized from Yiyang Prefecture (益阳地区)
Yongzhou	永州市	Hunan	22,259	1995-11-21	Reorganized from Lingling Prefecture (零陵地区)
Yueyang	岳阳市	Hunan	14,858	1983-02-08	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Zhangjiajie	张家界市	Hunan	9,534	1988-05-18	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Zhuzhou	株洲市	Hunan	11,248	1956-11-30	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Baotou	包头市	Inner Mongolia	27,652	1950-02-13	Inherited from Nationalist government
Bayannur	巴彦淖尔市	Inner Mongolia	66,263	2003-12-01	Reorganized from Bayannur League (巴彦淖尔盟)
Chifeng	赤峰市	Inner Mongolia	90,064	1983-10-10	Reorganized from Ju'ud League (昭乌达盟)
Hohhot	呼和浩特市	Inner Mongolia	17,344	1950-01-18	Inherited from Nationalist government
Hulunbuir	呼伦贝尔市	Inner Mongolia	262,062	2001-10-10	Reorganized from Hulunbuir League (呼伦贝尔盟)
Ordos	鄂尔多斯市	Inner Mongolia	86,873.55	2001-02-26	Reorganized from Ihju League (伊克昭盟)
Tongliao	通辽市	Inner Mongolia	59,364	1999-01-13	Reorganized from Jirem League (哲里木盟)
Ulanqab	乌兰察布市	Inner Mongolia	54,795	2003-12-01	Reorganized from Ulanqab League (乌兰察布盟)
Wuhai	乌海市	Inner Mongolia	1,754	1975-08-30	Merger of Wuda (乌达市) & Haibowan (海勃湾市) cities
Changzhou	常州市	Jiangsu	4,374	1962-06-25	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Huai'an	淮安市	Jiangsu	10,047	1983-01-18	Reorganized from Huaiyin Prefecture (淮阴地区)
Lianyungang	连云港市	Jiangsu	7,614	1962-06-25	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Nanjing	南京市	Jiangsu	6,586	1953-12-17	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Nantong	南通市	Jiangsu	8,001	1962-06-25	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Suqian	宿迁市	Jiangsu	8,462	1996-07-19	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Suzhou	苏州市	Jiangsu	8,488	1962-06-25	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Taizhou	泰州市	Jiangsu	5,788	1996-07-19	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Wuxi	无锡市	Jiangsu	4,628	1949-10-01	Carved out of Wuxi County (无锡县)
Xuzhou	徐州市	Jiangsu	11,258	1962-06-25	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Yancheng	盐城市	Jiangsu	16,972	1983-01-18	Reorganized from Yancheng Prefecture (盐城地区)
Yangzhou	扬州市	Jiangsu	6,592	1983-01-18	Reorganized from Yangzhou Prefecture (扬州地区)
Zhenjiang	镇江市	Jiangsu	3,847	1983-01-18	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Fuzhou	抚州市	Jiangxi	18,817	2000-06-23	Reorganized from Fuzhou Prefecture (抚州地区)
Ganzhou	赣州市	Jiangxi	39,379	1998-12-24	Reorganized from Ganzhou Prefecture (赣州地区)
Ji'an	吉安市	Jiangxi	25,341	2000-05-11	Reorganized from Ji'an Prefecture (吉安地区)
Jingdezhen	景德镇市	Jiangxi	5,270	1953-06-15	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Jiujiang	九江市	Jiangxi	18,823	1980-03-28	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Nanchang	南昌市	Jiangxi	7,402	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Pingxiang	萍乡市	Jiangxi	3,802	1970-03-10	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Shangrao	上饶市	Jiangxi	22,791	2000-06-23	Reorganized from Shangrao Prefecture (上饶地区)
Xinyu	新余市	Jiangxi	3,178	1983-07-27	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Yichun	宜春市	Jiangxi	18,707	2000-05-22	Reorganized from Yichun Prefecture (宜春地区)
Yingtan	鹰潭市	Jiangxi	3,554	1983-07-27	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Baicheng	白城市	Jilin	25,683	1993-06-14	Reorganized from Baicheng Prefecture (白城地区)
Baishan	白山市	Jilin	17,485	1985-02-04	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Changchun	长春市	Jilin	24,592	1954-06-19	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Jilin	吉林市	Jilin	27,722	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Liaoyuan	辽源市	Jilin	5,125	1983-08-30	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Siping	四平市	Jilin	10,296	1983-08-30	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Songyuan	松原市	Jilin	20,159	1992-06-06	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Tonghua	通化市	Jilin	15,698	1985-02-04	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Anshan	鞍山市	Liaoning	9,252	1954-06-19	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Benxi	本溪市	Liaoning	8,413	1954-06-19	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Chaoyang	朝阳市	Liaoning	19,736	1984-06-30	Reorganized from Chaoyang Prefecture (朝阳地区)
Dalian	大连市	Liaoning	13,238	1954-06-19	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Dandong	丹东市	Liaoning	15,030	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Fushun	抚顺市	Liaoning	11,344	1954-06-19	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Fuxin	阜新市	Liaoning	10,445	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Huludao	葫芦岛市	Liaoning	10,434	1989-06-12	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jinzhou	锦州市	Liaoning	10,059	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Liaoyang	辽阳市	Liaoning	4,741	1965-12-27	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Panjin	盘锦市	Liaoning	4,121	1984-06-05	Upgraded from Panshan County (盘山县)
Shenyang	沈阳市	Liaoning	12,980	1954-06-19	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Tieling	铁岭市	Liaoning	13,029	1984-06-30	Reorganized from Tieling Prefecture (铁岭地区)
Yingkou	营口市	Liaoning	5,262	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Guyuan	固原市	Ningxia	13,450	2001-07-07	Reorganized from Guyuan Prefecture (固原地区)
Shizuishan	石嘴山市	Ningxia	5,208	1975-11-23	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Wuzhong	吴忠市	Ningxia	21,420	1998-05-11	Reorganized from Yinnan Prefecture (银南地区)
Yinchuan	银川市	Ningxia	8,874	1958-08-11	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Zhongwei	中卫市	Ningxia	17,448	2003-12-31	Upgraded from Zhongwei County (中卫县)
Haidong	海东市	Qinghai	13,202	2013-02-08	Reorganized from Haidong Prefecture (海东地区)
Xining	西宁市	Qinghai	7,679	1956-07-14	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Ankang	安康市	Shaanxi	23,535	2000-06-23	Reorganized from Ankang Prefecture (安康地区)
Baoji	宝鸡市	Shaanxi	18,162	1971-10-05	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Hanzhong	汉中市	Shaanxi	27,093	1996-02-21	Reorganized from Hanzhong Prefecture (汉中地区)
Shangluo	商洛市	Shaanxi	19,581	2001-08-31	Reorganized from Shangluo Prefecture (商洛地区)
Tongchuan	铜川市	Shaanxi	3,881	1966-06-24	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Weinan	渭南市	Shaanxi	13,033	1994-12-17	Reorganized from Weinan Prefecture (渭南地区)
Xi'an	西安市	Shaanxi	10,106	1954-06-19	Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Xianyang	咸阳市	Shaanxi	10,283	1983-09-09	Reorganized from Xianyang Prefecture (咸阳地区)
Yan'an	延安市	Shaanxi	37,032	1996-11-05	Reorganized from Yan'an Prefecture (延安地区)
Yulin	榆林市	Shaanxi	42,923	1999-12-05	Reorganized from Yulin Prefecture (榆林地区)
Binzhou	滨州市	Shandong	9,156	2000-06-10	Reorganized from Binzhou Prefecture (滨州地区)
Dezhou	德州市	Shandong	10,361	1994-12-17	Reorganized from Dezhou Prefecture (德州地区)
Dongying	东营市	Shandong	8,617	1982-11-10	Carved out of Huimin Prefecture (惠民地区)
Heze	菏泽市	Shandong	12,256	2000-06-23	Reorganized from Heze Prefecture (菏泽地区)
Jinan	济南市	Shandong	10,423	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Jining	济宁市	Shandong	11,191	1983-08-30	Reorganized from Jining Prefecture (济宁地区)
Liaocheng	聊城市	Shandong	8,721	1997-08-29	Reorganized from Liaocheng Prefecture (聊城地区)
Linyi	临沂市	Shandong	17,192	1994-12-17	Reorganized from Linyi Prefecture (临沂地区)
Qingdao	青岛市	Shandong	11,064	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Rizhao	日照市	Shandong	5,359	1989-06-12	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Tai'an	泰安市	Shandong	7,762	1985-03-27	Reorganized from Tai'an Prefecture (泰安地区)
Weifang	潍坊市	Shandong	16,138	1983-08-30	Reorganized from Weifang Prefecture (潍坊地区)
Weihai	威海市	Shandong	5,797	1987-06-15	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Yantai	烟台市	Shandong	13,654	1983-08-30	Reorganized from Yantai Prefecture (烟台地区)
Zaozhuang	枣庄市	Shandong	4,564	1961-09-12	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Zibo	淄博市	Shandong	5,964	1961-09-12	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Changzhi	长治市	Shanxi	13,945	1975-07-09	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Datong	大同市	Shanxi	14,056	1972-03-09	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Jincheng	晋城市	Shanxi	9,425	1985-04-30	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jinzhong	晋中市	Shanxi	16,391	1999-09-24	Reorganized from Jinzhong Prefecture (晋中地区)
Linfen	临汾市	Shanxi	20,301	2000-06-23	Reorganized from Linfen Prefecture (临汾地区)
Lüliang	吕梁市	Shanxi	21,140	2003-10-23	Reorganized from Lüliang Prefecture (吕梁地区)
Shuozhou	朔州市	Shanxi	10,626	1988-03-24	Upgraded from Shuo County (朔县) & Pinglu County (平鲁县)
Taiyuan	太原市	Shanxi	6,909	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Xinzhou	忻州市	Shanxi	25,154	2000-06-14	Reorganized from Xinzhou Prefecture (忻州地区)
Yangquan	阳泉市	Shanxi	4,559	1972-03-09	Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Yuncheng	运城市	Shanxi	14,183	2000-06-14	Reorganized from Yuncheng Prefecture (运城地区)
Bazhong	巴中市	Sichuan	12,292	2000-06-14	Reorganized from Bazhong Prefecture (巴中地区)
Chengdu	成都市	Sichuan	14,312	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Dazhou	达州市	Sichuan	16,605	1999-06-20	Reorganized from Dachuan Prefecture (达川地区)
Deyang	德阳市	Sichuan	5,911	1983-08-18	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Guang'an	广安市	Sichuan	6,344	1998-07-31	Reorganized from Guang'an Prefecture (广安地区)
Guangyuan	广元市	Sichuan	16,310	1985-02-08	Upgraded from Guangyuan County (广元县)
Leshan	乐山市	Sichuan	12,759	1985-02-11	Reorganized from Leshan Prefecture (乐山地区)
Luzhou	泸州市	Sichuan	12,232	1983-03-03	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Meishan	眉山市	Sichuan	7,134	2000-06-10	Reorganized from Meishan Prefecture (眉山地区)
Mianyang	绵阳市	Sichuan	20,257	1985-02-08	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Neijiang	内江市	Sichuan	5,386	1985-02-11	Reorganized from Neijiang Prefecture (内江地区)
Nanchong	南充市	Sichuan	12,514	1993-07-02	Reorganized from Nanchong Prefecture (南充地区)
Panzhihua	攀枝花市	Sichuan	7,440	1965-04-22	Upgraded from Panzhihua Special District (攀枝花特区)
Suining	遂宁市	Sichuan	5,326	1985-02-08	Upgraded from Suining County (遂宁县)
Ya'an	雅安市	Sichuan	15,303	2000-06-14	Reorganized from Ya'an Prefecture (雅安地区)
Yibin	宜宾市	Sichuan	13,271	1996-10-05	Reorganized from Yibin Prefecture (宜宾地区)
Zigong	自贡市	Sichuan	4,382	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Ziyang	资阳市	Sichuan	5,757	2000-06-14	Reorganized from Ziyang Prefecture (资阳地区)
Gaoxiong	高雄市	Taiwan	2,946	—	Controlled by the Republic of China as the Kaohsiung special municipality.
Taibei	台北市	Taiwan	271	—	Controlled by the Republic of China as the Taipei special municipality.
Tainan	台南市	Taiwan	2,191	—	Controlled by the Republic of China as the Tainan special municipality.
Taizhong	台中市	Taiwan	2,214	—	Controlled by the Republic of China as the Taichung special municipality.
Taoyuan	桃园市	Taiwan	1,220	—	Controlled by the Republic of China as the Taoyuan special municipality.
Xinbei	新北市	Taiwan	2,052	—	Controlled by the Republic of China as the New Taipei special municipality.
Lhasa	拉萨市	Tibet	31,662	1960-01-07	Carved out of Changchub Jurisdiction (绛曲基巧)
Qamdo	昌都市	Tibet	110,154	2014-10-20	Reorganized from Qamdo Prefecture (昌都地区)
Nagqu	那曲市	Tibet	369,674	2017-07-18	Reorganized from Nagqu Prefecture (那曲地区)
Nyingchi	林芝市	Tibet	116,175	2015-03-16	Reorganized from Nyingchi Prefecture (林芝地区)
Shannan	山南市	Tibet	79,699	2016-01-07	Reorganized from Shannan Prefecture (山南地区)
Xigazê	日喀则市	Tibet	182,000	2014-06-26	Reorganized from Xigazê Prefecture (日喀则地区)
Hami	哈密市	Xinjiang	138,919	2016-01-07	Reorganized from Hami Prefecture (哈密地区)
Karamay	克拉玛依市	Xinjiang	7,734	1982-02-16	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Turpan	吐鲁番市	Xinjiang	70,049	2015-03-16	Reorganized from Turpan Prefecture (吐鲁番地区)
Ürümqi	乌鲁木齐市	Xinjiang	13,788	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Baoshan	保山市	Yunnan	19,637	2000-12-30	Reorganized from Baoshan Prefecture (保山地区)
Kunming	昆明市	Yunnan	21,473	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Lincang	临沧市	Yunnan	24,469	2003-12-26	Reorganized from Lincang Prefecture (临沧地区)
Lijiang	丽江市	Yunnan	21,219	2002-12-26	Reorganized from Lijiang Prefecture (丽江地区)
Pu'er	普洱市	Yunnan	45,385	2003-10-30	Reorganized from Simao Prefecture (思茅地区)
Qujing	曲靖市	Yunnan	29,855	1997-05-06	Reorganized from Qujing Prefecture (曲靖地区)
Yuxi	玉溪市	Yunnan	15,285	1997-12-13	Reorganized from Yuxi Prefecture (玉溪地区)
Zhaotong	昭通市	Yunnan	23,021	2001-01-13	Reorganized from Zhaotong Prefecture (昭通地区)
Hangzhou	杭州市	Zhejiang	16,596	1949-10-01	Inherited from Nationalist government
Huzhou	湖州市	Zhejiang	5,794	1983-07-27	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jiaxing	嘉兴市	Zhejiang	3,915	1983-07-27	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jinhua	金华市	Zhejiang	10,919	1985-05-15	Reorganized from Jinhua Prefecture (金华地区)
Lishui	丽水市	Zhejiang	17,298	2000-05-20	Reorganized from Lishui Prefecture (丽水地区)
Ningbo	宁波市	Zhejiang	9,365	1949-12-20	Carved out of Yin County (鄞县)
Quzhou	衢州市	Zhejiang	8,837	1985-05-15	Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Shaoxing	绍兴市	Zhejiang	8,256	1983-07-27	Reorganized from Shaoxing Prefecture (绍兴地区)
Taizhou	台州市	Zhejiang	9,413	1994-08-22	Reorganized from Taizhou Prefecture (台州地区)
Wenzhou	温州市	Zhejiang	11,784	1949-11-06	Carved out of Yongjia County (永嘉县)
Zhoushan	舟山市	Zhejiang	1,440	1987-01-23	Reorganized from Zhoushan Prefecture (舟山地区)

Dissolved prefecture-level cities

City	Chinese	Province	Founded	Dissolved
Chaohu	巢湖市	Anhui	1999-07-09	2011-07-14
Tianjin	天津市	Hebei	1958-02-11	1967-01-02
Shashi	沙市市	Hubei	1979-06-21	1994-09-29
Gongzhuling	公主岭市	Jilin	1985-02-04	1985-12-19
Meihekou	梅河口市	Jilin	1985-02-04	1985-12-19
Laiwu	莱芜市	Shandong	1992-11-22	2018-12-26
Chongqing	重庆市	Sichuan	1954-06-19	1997-03-14
Fuling	涪陵市	Sichuan	1995-11-05	1997-03-14
Wanxian	万县市	Sichuan	1992-12-11	1997-03-14
Dongchuan	东川市	Yunnan	1958-10-20	1998-12-06

See also

• Administrative divisions of China
• Provincial city
• List of prefectures in China
• Top prefecture-level cities by GDP
• Top prefecture-level cities by GDP per capita
• List of cities in China by population
• List of cities in China
• List of twin towns and sister cities in China
• List of capitals in China
• List of urban agglomerations in China
• Global city