Prefecture-level city

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.

Prefecture-level city
Prefectural-level city
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese地级市
Traditional Chinese地級市
Literal meaningRegional-level city
Tibetan name
Tibetanས་ཁུལ་རིམ་པ་གྲོང་ཁྱེར།
Mongolian name
Mongolian CyrillicДугаргийн энтэй хот
Mongolian scriptᠲᠣᠭᠣᠷᠢᠭ ᠤᠨ ᠡᠩ ᠲᠡᠢ ᠬᠣᠲᠠ
Uyghur name
Uyghurۋىلايەت دەرىجىلىك شەھەر
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.

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: ; 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[1]

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:

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.[note 1]

CityChineseProvinceArea
(km²)
Founded
(PRC)
Former divisions
Anqing安庆市Anhui13,5281979-11-04Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Bengbu蚌埠市Anhui5,9591949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Bozhou亳州市Anhui8,4292000-05-21Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Chizhou池州市Anhui8,3992000-06-25Reorganized from Chizhou Prefecture (池州地区)
Chuzhou滁州市Anhui13,4331992-12-20Reorganized from Chuxian Prefecture (滁县地区)
Fuyang阜阳市Anhui10,1191996-01-01Reorganized from Fuyang Prefecture (阜阳地区)
Hefei合肥市Anhui11,4961949-10-01Carved out of Hefei County (合肥县)
Huaibei淮北市Anhui2,7321960-04-16Upgraded from Huaibei Mining District (淮北矿区)
Huainan淮南市Anhui5,6501951-01-18Upgraded from Huainan Mining District (淮南矿区)
Huangshan黄山市Anhui9,6781987-11-27Reorganized from Huizhou Prefecture (徽州地区)
Lu'an六安市Anhui15,3511999-09-02Reorganized from Lu'an Prefecture (六安地区)
Ma'anshan马鞍山市Anhui4,0491956-10-12Upgraded from Ma'anshan Mining District (马鞍山矿区)
Suzhou宿州市Anhui9,7871998-12-06Reorganized from Suxian Prefecture (宿县地区)
Tongling铜陵市Anhui2,9921971-12-11Reorganized from Tongling Prefecture (铜陵特区)
Wuhu芜湖市Anhui6,0261972-12-30Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Xuancheng宣城市Anhui12,3402000-06-25Reorganized from Xuancheng Prefecture (宣城地区)
Fuzhou福州市Fujian11,7881949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Longyan龙岩市Fujian19,0521996-11-20Reorganized from Longyan Prefecture (龙岩地区)
Nanping南平市Fujian26,3121994-09-05Reorganized from Nanping Prefecture (南平地区)
Ningde宁德市Fujian13,6441999-11-14Reorganized from Ningde Prefecture (宁德地区)
Putian莆田市Fujian3,8951983-09-09Carved out of Putian County (莆田县)
Quanzhou泉州市Fujian10,8641985-05-14Reorganized from Jinjiang Prefecture (晋江地区)
Sanming三明市Fujian23,1911983-04-28Reorganized from Sanming Prefecture (三明地区)
Xiamen厦门市Fujian1,7011949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Zhangzhou漳州市Fujian12,6081985-05-14Reorganized from Longxi Prefecture (龙溪地区)
Baiyin白银市Gansu21,2101985-05-14Upgraded from Baiyin District, Lanzhou (兰州市白银区)
Dingxi定西市Gansu20,3302003-04-04Reorganized from Dingxi Prefecture (定西地区)
Jiayuguan嘉峪关市Gansu2,9351971-09-10Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Jinchang金昌市Gansu8,9271981-02-09Carved out of Yongchang County (永昌县)
Jiuquan酒泉市Gansu189,9972002-06-18Reorganized from Jiuquan Prefecture (酒泉地区)
Lanzhou兰州市Gansu13,0831949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Longnan陇南市Gansu27,8382004-01-11Reorganized from Longnan Prefecture (陇南地区)
Pingliang平凉市Gansu11,1692002-06-02Reorganized from Pingliang Prefecture (平凉地区)
Qingyang庆阳市Gansu27,1192002-06-22Reorganized from Qingyang Prefecture (庆阳地区)
Tianshui天水市Gansu14,4311985-07-08Reorganized from Tianshui Prefecture (天水地区)
Wuwei武威市Gansu33,2382001-05-09Reorganized from Wuwei Prefecture (武威地区)
Zhangye张掖市Gansu40,8262002-03-01Reorganized from Zhangye Prefecture (张掖地区)
Chaozhou潮州市Guangdong3,0981991-12-07Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Dongguan东莞市Guangdong2,5121988-01-07Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Foshan佛山市Guangdong3,8751975-11-22Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Guangzhou广州市Guangdong7,4361954-06-19Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Heyuan河源市Guangdong15,6441988-01-07Upgraded from Heyuan County (河源县)
Huizhou惠州市Guangdong11,1591988-01-07Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jiangmen江门市Guangdong9,5541975-11-22Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Jieyang揭阳市Guangdong5,2691991-12-07Upgraded from Jieyang County (揭阳县)
Maoming茂名市Guangdong11,3451975-11-22Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Meizhou梅州市Guangdong15,9251988-01-07Reorganized from Meixian Prefecture (梅县地区)
Qingyuan清远市Guangdong19,2651988-01-07Upgraded from Qingyuan County (清远县)
Shantou汕头市Guangdong2,1231975-11-22Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Shanwei汕尾市Guangdong4,9571988-01-07Carved out of Haifeng County (海丰县)
Shaoguan韶关市Guangdong18,3981975-11-22Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Shenzhen深圳市Guangdong2,019.951979-03-05Upgraded from Bao'an County (宝安县)
Yangjiang阳江市Guangdong8,0061988-01-07Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Yunfu云浮市Guangdong7,7781994-04-05Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Zhanjiang湛江市Guangdong11,6921975-11-22Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Zhaoqing肇庆市Guangdong15,0061988-01-07Reorganized from Zhaoqing Prefecture (肇庆地区)
Zhongshan中山市Guangdong1,7701988-01-07Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Zhuhai珠海市Guangdong1,6961979-03-05Upgraded from Zhuhai County (珠海县)
Baise百色市Guangxi36,2062002-06-02Reorganized from Baise Prefecture (百色地区)
Beihai北海市Guangxi3,3371983-10-08Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Chongzuo崇左市Guangxi17,3312002-12-23Reorganized from Nanning Prefecture (南宁地区)
Fangchenggang防城港市Guangxi6,2271993-05-23Upgraded from Fangcheng County (防城各族自治县)
Guigang贵港市Guangxi10,5961995-10-27Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Guilin桂林市Guangxi27,8091961-11-25Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Hechi河池市Guangxi33,4942002-06-18Reorganized from Hechi Prefecture (河池地区)
Hezhou贺州市Guangxi11,8552002-06-18Reorganized from Hezhou Prefecture (贺州地区)
Laibin来宾市Guangxi13,3862002-09-29Reorganized from Liuzhou Prefecture (柳州地区)
Liuzhou柳州市Guangxi18,6521961-11-25Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Nanning南宁市Guangxi22,3411961-12-23Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Qinzhou钦州市Guangxi10,7831994-06-28Reorganized from Qinzhou Prefecture (钦州地区)
Wuzhou梧州市Guangxi12,5821961-11-25Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Yulin玉林市Guangxi12,8391997-04-22Reorganized from Yulin Prefecture (玉林地区)
Anshun安顺市Guizhou9,2692000-06-23Reorganized from Anshun Prefecture (安顺地区)
Bijie毕节市Guizhou26,8522011-10-22Reorganized from Bijie Prefecture (毕节地区)
Guiyang贵阳市Guizhou8,0351949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Liupanshui六盘水市Guizhou9,9141978-12-18Reorganized from Liupanshui Prefecture (六盘水地区)
Tongren铜仁市Guizhou18,0022011-10-22Reorganized from Tongren Prefecture (铜仁地区)
Zunyi遵义市Guizhou30,750.411997-06-10Reorganized from Zunyi Prefecture (遵义地区)
Danzhou儋州市Hainan3,4052015-02-19Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Haikou海口市Hainan2,2971986-05-31Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Sansha三沙市Hainan6732012-06-21Upgraded from XNZ Islands Authority (西沙群岛、南沙群岛、中沙群岛办事处)
Sanya三亚市Hainan1,9211987-11-20Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Baoding保定市Hebei22,1351983-11-15Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Cangzhou沧州市Hebei13,4881983-11-15Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Chengde承德市Hebei39,7191983-11-15Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Handan邯郸市Hebei12,066.181983-11-15Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Hengshui衡水市Hebei8,7581996-05-31Reorganized from Hengshui Prefecture (衡水地区)
Langfang廊坊市Hebei6,4201988-09-13Reorganized from Langfang Prefecture (廊坊地区)
Qinhuangdao秦皇岛市Hebei7,8131983-03-03Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Shijiazhuang石家庄市Hebei14,5301978-03-11Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Tangshan唐山市Hebei13,8291978-03-11Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Xingtai邢台市Hebei12,1431983-11-15Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Zhangjiakou张家口市Hebei36,3031983-11-15Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Daqing大庆市Heilongjiang21,6431965-12-28Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Harbin哈尔滨市Heilongjiang53,1861954-06-19Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Hegang鹤岗市Heilongjiang14,6651966-02-08Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Heihe黑河市Heilongjiang68,2851993-02-08Reorganized from Heihe Prefecture (黑河地区)
Jiamusi佳木斯市Heilongjiang32,4701983-10-08Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jixi鸡西市Heilongjiang22,5511966-02-08Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Mudanjiang牡丹江市Heilongjiang38,8271983-10-08Reorganized from Mudanjiang Prefecture (牡丹江地区)
Qiqihar齐齐哈尔市Heilongjiang44,2871964-01-15Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Qitaihe七台河市Heilongjiang6,2211983-10-08Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Shuangyashan双鸭山市Heilongjiang22,8021966-02-08Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Suihua绥化市Heilongjiang35,2111999-12-28Reorganized from Suihua Prefecture (绥化地区)
Yichun伊春市Heilongjiang32,8001979-12-14Reorganized from Yichun Prefecture (伊春地区)
Anyang安阳市Henan7,3551982-03-10Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Hebi鹤壁市Henan2,2991974-01-19Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Jiaozuo焦作市Henan4,0721974-01-19Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Kaifeng开封市Henan6,2471961-12-25Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Luohe漯河市Henan2,6171986-01-18Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Luoyang洛阳市Henan15,4921964-04-30Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Nanyang南阳市Henan26,5911994-07-01Reorganized from Nanyang Prefecture (南阳地区)
Pingdingshan平顶山市Henan7,8741969-03-15Reorganized from Pingdingshan Prefecture (平顶山特区)
Puyang濮阳市Henan4,2661983-09-01Upgraded from Puyang County (濮阳县)
Sanmenxia三门峡市Henan10,4751986-01-18Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Shangqiu商丘市Henan10,6581997-06-10Reorganized from Shangqiu Prefecture (商丘地区)
Xinxiang新乡市Henan8,6291982-03-10Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Xinyang信阳市Henan18,8191998-06-09Reorganized from Xinyang Prefecture (信阳地区)
Xuchang许昌市Henan4,9771986-01-18Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Zhengzhou郑州市Henan7,5071949-10-01Upgraded from Zheng County (郑县)
Zhoukou周口市Henan11,9682000-06-08Reorganized from Zhoukou Prefecture (周口地区)
Zhumadian驻马店市Henan14,9742000-06-08Reorganized from Zhumadian Prefecture (驻马店地区)
Ezhou鄂州市Hubei1,5051983-08-19Upgraded from Echeng (鄂城市) & Echeng County (鄂城县)
Huanggang黄冈市Hubei17,4531995-12-23Upgraded from Huanggang Prefecture (黄冈地区)
Huangshi黄石市Hubei4,5761950-08-30Reorganized from Huangshi Special District (黄石特区)
Jingmen荆门市Hubei12,1001983-08-19Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jingzhou荆州市Hubei14,1041994-09-29Reorganized from Jingzhou Prefecture (荆州地区) & Shashi (沙市市)
Shiyan十堰市Hubei23,6981973-02-17Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Suizhou随州市Hubei9,6362000-06-25Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Wuhan武汉市Hubei8,4831954-06-19Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Xiangyang襄阳市Hubei19,6261979-06-21Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Xianning咸宁市Hubei10,0191998-12-06Reorganized from Xianning Prefecture (咸宁地区)
Xiaogan孝感市Hubei8,9411993-04-10Reorganized from Xiaogan Prefecture (孝感地区)
Yichang宜昌市Hubei21,0811979-06-21Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Changde常德市Hunan18,1901988-01-23Reorganized from Changde Prefecture (常德地区)
Changsha长沙市Hunan11,8161949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Chenzhou郴州市Hunan19,3421994-12-17Reorganized from Chenzhou Prefecture (郴州地区)
Hengyang衡阳市Hunan15,3001980-02-20Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Huaihua怀化市Hunan27,5731997-11-29Reorganized from Huaihua Prefecture (怀化地区)
Loudi娄底市Hunan8,1101999-01-20Reorganized from Loudi Prefecture (娄底地区)
Shaoyang邵阳市Hunan20,8221980-02-20Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Xiangtan湘潭市Hunan5,0051980-02-20Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Yiyang益阳市Hunan12,3201994-03-07Reorganized from Yiyang Prefecture (益阳地区)
Yongzhou永州市Hunan22,2591995-11-21Reorganized from Lingling Prefecture (零陵地区)
Yueyang岳阳市Hunan14,8581983-02-08Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Zhangjiajie张家界市Hunan9,5341988-05-18Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Zhuzhou株洲市Hunan11,2481956-11-30Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Baotou包头市Inner Mongolia27,6521950-02-13Inherited from Nationalist government
Bayannur巴彦淖尔市Inner Mongolia66,2632003-12-01Reorganized from Bayannur League (巴彦淖尔盟)
Chifeng赤峰市Inner Mongolia90,0641983-10-10Reorganized from Ju'ud League (昭乌达盟)
Hohhot呼和浩特市Inner Mongolia17,3441950-01-18Inherited from Nationalist government
Hulunbuir呼伦贝尔市Inner Mongolia262,0622001-10-10Reorganized from Hulunbuir League (呼伦贝尔盟)
Ordos鄂尔多斯市Inner Mongolia86,873.552001-02-26Reorganized from Ihju League (伊克昭盟)
Tongliao通辽市Inner Mongolia59,3641999-01-13Reorganized from Jirem League (哲里木盟)
Ulanqab乌兰察布市Inner Mongolia54,7952003-12-01Reorganized from Ulanqab League (乌兰察布盟)
Wuhai乌海市Inner Mongolia1,7541975-08-30Merger of Wuda (乌达市) & Haibowan (海勃湾市) cities
Changzhou常州市Jiangsu4,3741962-06-25Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Huai'an淮安市Jiangsu10,0471983-01-18Reorganized from Huaiyin Prefecture (淮阴地区)
Lianyungang连云港市Jiangsu7,6141962-06-25Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Nanjing南京市Jiangsu6,5861953-12-17Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Nantong南通市Jiangsu8,0011962-06-25Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Suqian宿迁市Jiangsu8,4621996-07-19Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Suzhou苏州市Jiangsu8,4881962-06-25Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Taizhou泰州市Jiangsu5,7881996-07-19Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Wuxi无锡市Jiangsu4,6281949-10-01Carved out of Wuxi County (无锡县)
Xuzhou徐州市Jiangsu11,2581962-06-25Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Yancheng盐城市Jiangsu16,9721983-01-18Reorganized from Yancheng Prefecture (盐城地区)
Yangzhou扬州市Jiangsu6,5921983-01-18Reorganized from Yangzhou Prefecture (扬州地区)
Zhenjiang镇江市Jiangsu3,8471983-01-18Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Fuzhou抚州市Jiangxi18,8172000-06-23Reorganized from Fuzhou Prefecture (抚州地区)
Ganzhou赣州市Jiangxi39,3791998-12-24Reorganized from Ganzhou Prefecture (赣州地区)
Ji'an吉安市Jiangxi25,3412000-05-11Reorganized from Ji'an Prefecture (吉安地区)
Jingdezhen景德镇市Jiangxi5,2701953-06-15Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Jiujiang九江市Jiangxi18,8231980-03-28Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Nanchang南昌市Jiangxi7,4021949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Pingxiang萍乡市Jiangxi3,8021970-03-10Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Shangrao上饶市Jiangxi22,7912000-06-23Reorganized from Shangrao Prefecture (上饶地区)
Xinyu新余市Jiangxi3,1781983-07-27Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Yichun宜春市Jiangxi18,7072000-05-22Reorganized from Yichun Prefecture (宜春地区)
Yingtan鹰潭市Jiangxi3,5541983-07-27Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Baicheng白城市Jilin25,6831993-06-14Reorganized from Baicheng Prefecture (白城地区)
Baishan白山市Jilin17,4851985-02-04Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Changchun长春市Jilin24,5921954-06-19Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Jilin吉林市Jilin27,7221949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Liaoyuan辽源市Jilin5,1251983-08-30Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Siping四平市Jilin10,2961983-08-30Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Songyuan松原市Jilin20,1591992-06-06Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Tonghua通化市Jilin15,6981985-02-04Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Anshan鞍山市Liaoning9,2521954-06-19Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Benxi本溪市Liaoning8,4131954-06-19Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Chaoyang朝阳市Liaoning19,7361984-06-30Reorganized from Chaoyang Prefecture (朝阳地区)
Dalian大连市Liaoning13,2381954-06-19Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Dandong丹东市Liaoning15,0301949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Fushun抚顺市Liaoning11,3441954-06-19Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Fuxin阜新市Liaoning10,4451949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Huludao葫芦岛市Liaoning10,4341989-06-12Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jinzhou锦州市Liaoning10,0591949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Liaoyang辽阳市Liaoning4,7411965-12-27Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Panjin盘锦市Liaoning4,1211984-06-05Upgraded from Panshan County (盘山县)
Shenyang沈阳市Liaoning12,9801954-06-19Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Tieling铁岭市Liaoning13,0291984-06-30Reorganized from Tieling Prefecture (铁岭地区)
Yingkou营口市Liaoning5,2621949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Guyuan固原市Ningxia13,4502001-07-07Reorganized from Guyuan Prefecture (固原地区)
Shizuishan石嘴山市Ningxia5,2081975-11-23Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Wuzhong吴忠市Ningxia21,4201998-05-11Reorganized from Yinnan Prefecture (银南地区)
Yinchuan银川市Ningxia8,8741958-08-11Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Zhongwei中卫市Ningxia17,4482003-12-31Upgraded from Zhongwei County (中卫县)
Haidong海东市Qinghai13,2022013-02-08Reorganized from Haidong Prefecture (海东地区)
Xining西宁市Qinghai7,6791956-07-14Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Ankang安康市Shaanxi23,5352000-06-23Reorganized from Ankang Prefecture (安康地区)
Baoji宝鸡市Shaanxi18,1621971-10-05Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Hanzhong汉中市Shaanxi27,0931996-02-21Reorganized from Hanzhong Prefecture (汉中地区)
Shangluo商洛市Shaanxi19,5812001-08-31Reorganized from Shangluo Prefecture (商洛地区)
Tongchuan铜川市Shaanxi3,8811966-06-24Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Weinan渭南市Shaanxi13,0331994-12-17Reorganized from Weinan Prefecture (渭南地区)
Xi'an西安市Shaanxi10,1061954-06-19Downgraded from municipality (直辖市)
Xianyang咸阳市Shaanxi10,2831983-09-09Reorganized from Xianyang Prefecture (咸阳地区)
Yan'an延安市Shaanxi37,0321996-11-05Reorganized from Yan'an Prefecture (延安地区)
Yulin榆林市Shaanxi42,9231999-12-05Reorganized from Yulin Prefecture (榆林地区)
Binzhou滨州市Shandong9,1562000-06-10Reorganized from Binzhou Prefecture (滨州地区)
Dezhou德州市Shandong10,3611994-12-17Reorganized from Dezhou Prefecture (德州地区)
Dongying东营市Shandong8,6171982-11-10Carved out of Huimin Prefecture (惠民地区)
Heze菏泽市Shandong12,2562000-06-23Reorganized from Heze Prefecture (菏泽地区)
Jinan济南市Shandong10,4231949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Jining济宁市Shandong11,1911983-08-30Reorganized from Jining Prefecture (济宁地区)
Liaocheng聊城市Shandong8,7211997-08-29Reorganized from Liaocheng Prefecture (聊城地区)
Linyi临沂市Shandong17,1921994-12-17Reorganized from Linyi Prefecture (临沂地区)
Qingdao青岛市Shandong11,0641949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Rizhao日照市Shandong5,3591989-06-12Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Tai'an泰安市Shandong7,7621985-03-27Reorganized from Tai'an Prefecture (泰安地区)
Weifang潍坊市Shandong16,1381983-08-30Reorganized from Weifang Prefecture (潍坊地区)
Weihai威海市Shandong5,7971987-06-15Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Yantai烟台市Shandong13,6541983-08-30Reorganized from Yantai Prefecture (烟台地区)
Zaozhuang枣庄市Shandong4,5641961-09-12Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Zibo淄博市Shandong5,9641961-09-12Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (专辖市)
Changzhi长治市Shanxi13,9451975-07-09Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Datong大同市Shanxi14,0561972-03-09Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Jincheng晋城市Shanxi9,4251985-04-30Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jinzhong晋中市Shanxi16,3911999-09-24Reorganized from Jinzhong Prefecture (晋中地区)
Linfen临汾市Shanxi20,3012000-06-23Reorganized from Linfen Prefecture (临汾地区)
Lüliang吕梁市Shanxi21,1402003-10-23Reorganized from Lüliang Prefecture (吕梁地区)
Shuozhou朔州市Shanxi10,6261988-03-24Upgraded from Shuo County (朔县) & Pinglu County (平鲁县)
Taiyuan太原市Shanxi6,9091949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Xinzhou忻州市Shanxi25,1542000-06-14Reorganized from Xinzhou Prefecture (忻州地区)
Yangquan阳泉市Shanxi4,5591972-03-09Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city (地辖市)
Yuncheng运城市Shanxi14,1832000-06-14Reorganized from Yuncheng Prefecture (运城地区)
Bazhong巴中市Sichuan12,2922000-06-14Reorganized from Bazhong Prefecture (巴中地区)
Chengdu成都市Sichuan14,3121949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Dazhou达州市Sichuan16,6051999-06-20Reorganized from Dachuan Prefecture (达川地区)
Deyang德阳市Sichuan5,9111983-08-18Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Guang'an广安市Sichuan6,3441998-07-31Reorganized from Guang'an Prefecture (广安地区)
Guangyuan广元市Sichuan16,3101985-02-08Upgraded from Guangyuan County (广元县)
Leshan乐山市Sichuan12,7591985-02-11Reorganized from Leshan Prefecture (乐山地区)
Luzhou泸州市Sichuan12,2321983-03-03Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Meishan眉山市Sichuan7,1342000-06-10Reorganized from Meishan Prefecture (眉山地区)
Mianyang绵阳市Sichuan20,2571985-02-08Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Neijiang内江市Sichuan5,3861985-02-11Reorganized from Neijiang Prefecture (内江地区)
Nanchong南充市Sichuan12,5141993-07-02Reorganized from Nanchong Prefecture (南充地区)
Panzhihua攀枝花市Sichuan7,4401965-04-22Upgraded from Panzhihua Special District (攀枝花特区)
Suining遂宁市Sichuan5,3261985-02-08Upgraded from Suining County (遂宁县)
Ya'an雅安市Sichuan15,3032000-06-14Reorganized from Ya'an Prefecture (雅安地区)
Yibin宜宾市Sichuan13,2711996-10-05Reorganized from Yibin Prefecture (宜宾地区)
Zigong自贡市Sichuan4,3821949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Ziyang资阳市Sichuan5,7572000-06-14Reorganized from Ziyang Prefecture (资阳地区)
Gaoxiong高雄市Taiwan2,946Controlled by the Republic of China as the Kaohsiung special municipality.
Taibei台北市Taiwan271Controlled by the Republic of China as the Taipei special municipality.
Tainan台南市Taiwan2,191Controlled by the Republic of China as the Tainan special municipality.
Taizhong台中市Taiwan2,214Controlled by the Republic of China as the Taichung special municipality.
Taoyuan桃园市Taiwan1,220Controlled by the Republic of China as the Taoyuan special municipality.
Xinbei新北市Taiwan2,052Controlled by the Republic of China as the New Taipei special municipality.
Lhasa拉萨市Tibet31,6621960-01-07Carved out of Changchub Jurisdiction (绛曲基巧)
Qamdo昌都市Tibet110,1542014-10-20Reorganized from Qamdo Prefecture (昌都地区)
Nagqu那曲市Tibet369,6742017-07-18Reorganized from Nagqu Prefecture (那曲地区)
Nyingchi林芝市Tibet116,1752015-03-16Reorganized from Nyingchi Prefecture (林芝地区)
Shannan山南市Tibet79,6992016-01-07Reorganized from Shannan Prefecture (山南地区)
Xigazê日喀则市Tibet182,0002014-06-26Reorganized from Xigazê Prefecture (日喀则地区)
Hami哈密市Xinjiang138,9192016-01-07Reorganized from Hami Prefecture (哈密地区)
Karamay克拉玛依市Xinjiang7,7341982-02-16Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Turpan吐鲁番市Xinjiang70,0492015-03-16Reorganized from Turpan Prefecture (吐鲁番地区)
Ürümqi乌鲁木齐市Xinjiang13,7881949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Baoshan保山市Yunnan19,6372000-12-30Reorganized from Baoshan Prefecture (保山地区)
Kunming昆明市Yunnan21,4731949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Lincang临沧市Yunnan24,4692003-12-26Reorganized from Lincang Prefecture (临沧地区)
Lijiang丽江市Yunnan21,2192002-12-26Reorganized from Lijiang Prefecture (丽江地区)
Pu'er普洱市Yunnan45,3852003-10-30Reorganized from Simao Prefecture (思茅地区)
Qujing曲靖市Yunnan29,8551997-05-06Reorganized from Qujing Prefecture (曲靖地区)
Yuxi玉溪市Yunnan15,2851997-12-13Reorganized from Yuxi Prefecture (玉溪地区)
Zhaotong昭通市Yunnan23,0212001-01-13Reorganized from Zhaotong Prefecture (昭通地区)
Hangzhou杭州市Zhejiang16,5961949-10-01Inherited from Nationalist government
Huzhou湖州市Zhejiang5,7941983-07-27Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jiaxing嘉兴市Zhejiang3,9151983-07-27Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Jinhua金华市Zhejiang10,9191985-05-15Reorganized from Jinhua Prefecture (金华地区)
Lishui丽水市Zhejiang17,2982000-05-20Reorganized from Lishui Prefecture (丽水地区)
Ningbo宁波市Zhejiang9,3651949-12-20Carved out of Yin County (鄞县)
Quzhou衢州市Zhejiang8,8371985-05-15Upgraded from county-level city (县级市)
Shaoxing绍兴市Zhejiang8,2561983-07-27Reorganized from Shaoxing Prefecture (绍兴地区)
Taizhou台州市Zhejiang9,4131994-08-22Reorganized from Taizhou Prefecture (台州地区)
Wenzhou温州市Zhejiang11,7841949-11-06Carved out of Yongjia County (永嘉县)
Zhoushan舟山市Zhejiang1,4401987-01-23Reorganized from Zhoushan Prefecture (舟山地区)

Dissolved prefecture-level cities

CityChineseProvinceFoundedDissolved
Chaohu巢湖市Anhui1999-07-092011-07-14
Tianjin天津市Hebei1958-02-111967-01-02
Shashi沙市市Hubei1979-06-211994-09-29
Gongzhuling公主岭市Jilin1985-02-041985-12-19
Meihekou梅河口市Jilin1985-02-041985-12-19
Laiwu莱芜市Shandong1992-11-222018-12-26
Chongqing重庆市Sichuan1954-06-191997-03-14
Fuling涪陵市Sichuan1995-11-051997-03-14
Wanxian万县市Sichuan1992-12-111997-03-14
Dongchuan东川市Yunnan1958-10-201998-12-06

See also

Notes

  1. As Taiwan is currently administered by the Republic of China, its administrative divisions differ from those in provinces administered by the People's Republic of China. The claimed official borders and divisions of the Taiwan Province of People's Republic of China mirror those of the ROC Taiwan Province before 1949. The PRC has not acknowledged any changes made post-1949 by the ROC. PRC once treated Taipei (still regarded as capital city, instead of Zhongxing New Village) and Kaohsiung as prefecture-level cities (they are actually Special municipality of Republic of China at that time), all other cities and counties as county-level cities and counties, and display them on maps as such. This is analogous to the previous practice of the ROC in producing maps depicting mainland administrative boundaries the way they were in 1949. However, this practice has also declined.

References

  1. "China's Political System". Archived from the original on 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
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