There are 666 cities in China within 23 provinces, five autonomous regions and four centrally administrated municipalities. The populations of the cities vary considerably:

11 cities with a population of 2+ million people

23 cities with a population of 1-2 million people

44 cities with a population of 500,000 - 1 million people

159 cities with a population of 200,000 - 500,000 million people

393 cities with a populations smaller than 200,000 people

Information on principal cities:

Beijing

Population: 12 million

Beijing is the capital city of China. With an area of 16,800 square kilometres, it is roughly the size of Belgium. It is the nation’s political, economic and cultural centre and also contains one of the largest industrial bases in China. It will be the site of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Beijing is an ancient city rich in cultural history. The earliest records of settlement date from around 1,000 BC and the city developed as a frontier trading town for Mongols, Koreans and tribes from Shandong and central China. Its name changed as a result of power struggles. In 1368 it was renamed Beiping (Northern Peace) with the ushering in of the Ming dynasty. In the early 1400s it was renamed Beijing (Northern Capital) and about this time the Forbidden City was built. Beijing’s symbol, the Tiantan or Temple of Heaven was also built at this time.

Highlights include:

• The Forbidden City, the centre of power in the Middle Kingdom for more than 500 years.

• Tiantian (Temple of Heaven), a perfect example of Ming architecture and the symbol of Beijing.

• The Summer Palace, the beautiful gardens of China’s imperial rulers in a stunning setting beside Kunming Hu.
• The Great Wall, ("the Wall of 1,000 Li") China’s greatest public works project begun in 200 BC and extending for 6,000 kilometres for east to west.

• Tiananmen (Gate of Heavenly Peace) built in 1417 and leads to the Forbidden City and used by the emperor for grand ceremonies. It is depicted on the national coat of arms of China.

• The hutongs , Beijing’s traditional neighborhoods.

Chengdu

Population: 3 million. Sichuan Province

This is the administrative, economic, political and military linchpin of China’s south-west. While its city planning is similar to Beijing, the feeling in Chengdu is much different due to the climate and the abundance of greenery. The city boasts a 2,300 year history and continues to have a reputation as a city known for its artisans. Chengdu means ‘perfect metropolis" and is one of the most intriguing cities in China.

Highlights include:

• Wenshu Yan (God of Wisdom temple), dating back to the tang dynasty, this is Chengdu’s largest and best preserved Bhuddist temple. Many of the buildings are decorated with exquisite relief carvings

• Wangjian Mu (Tomb of Wang Jian), on display at the tomb are funerary artifacts of general Wang Jian (AD 847-918)

• Dufu Caotang (Du Fu’s Cottage), set in 20 hectares of bamboo and luxuriant vegetation, this is the humble cottage of celebrated tang dynasty poet Du Fu (AD 712-770)

• Sichuan Sheng Bowuguan (Sichuan Provincial Museum), the largest provincial museum in China’s south-west housing 150,000 items

• Daxiong Fanzhi Yanjiu Zhongxin (Giant Panda Breeding Research Base), research and breeding facility with live pandas and exhibits of panda evolution, habits and reproduction.

Chongqing

Population: 3 million. Special Municipality

Perched on two hills overlooking the meeting of the Yangzi and Jialing Rivers, it is the chief industrial city of south-west China. It was the wartime capital of the Kuomintang and liaison centre for the communist forces in the fight against the Japanese.

Highlights include:

• Luohan Si (Arhat Temple), built about 1,000 years ago, the temple has a long entrance flanked by rock carvings

• Hongyan Cun (Red Cliff Village), a museum of the former offices and living quarters of the communist representatives liaising with the Kuomintang

• US-Chiang Kaishek Criminal Acts Exhibition Hall, contains a host of photos on display

• Bei Wenguan (Northern Hot Springs Park), hot springs including an Olympic-sized swimming pool with swimsuit hire

Guangzhou:

Population: 6 million. Guangdong Province

Guangzhou covers nearly 7,500 square kilometres. The city is South China’s commercial powerhouse and is a centre for commerce and communications. The high level of integration between Guangdong and Hong Kong has led to record economic growth for this prosperous area.

Highlights include:

• Shamian Dao (Sand Surface Island), a quiet oasis amid remnants of a colonial past away from the bustle of Guangzhou’s streets.

• Liurongsi Huata (Temple of the Six Banyan Trees) this 55m. pagoda is the tallest in the city.

• Guangxiao Si (Bright Filial Piety Temple) one of the oldest Bhuddist temples in the city.

• Wuxian Guen (Five Genies Temple) this Taoist temple is held to be the site of the five rams and celestial beings in the myth of Guangzhou’s foundation. The temple’s 5-tonne bell is known as the "calamity bell."

• Quingping Shichang (Bright Peace Market) is full of interesting things, though animal lovers should proceed with caution.

• Yuexiu Gongyuan, this 93 hectare park is the largest in the city and contains the Sculpture of the Five Rams – the symbol of Guangzhou. Within the park the Five-Storey Pagoda, the last piece of the old Ming dynasty city wall, houses the City Museum devoted the history of Guangzhou.

Hangzhou

Population: 6 million. Zhejiang Province

With a history going back to the start of the Qin dynasty (221 BC) Hangzhou is one of China’s premier tourist cities thanks to the attraction of Xi Hu (West Lake). It is the starting point for the Grand Canal meandering 1800 kms from Hangzhou to Beijing. The city is known for its tea (Longjing), silk and scissors.

Highlights include:

Lingyin Si (Temple of the Soul’s Retreat), built in AD 326 and destroyed and rebuilt no fewer than 16 times this temple complex is set in beautiful grounds with an entrance lined with rock carvings. A feature in the Great Hall is a magnificent 20 metre high statue of Siddharth Gautama carved from 24 blocks of camphor wood

Xi Hu (West Lake), dredged out in the 8^th century, the lake is about 3 km long and 3 kms wide, with two causeways splitting the lake into sections. Around the lake are gardens, tea houses and arched bridges.

Yue Fei Mei (Mausoleum of General Yue Fei), contains the tomb of executed, then exonerated, General Yue Fei who was a successful leader when China was attacked from the north in the 12^th century

Liuhe Ta (Six Harmonies Pagoda), located next to a giant road and rail bridge over the Qiantang Jiang, this 60 m high pagoda was supposed to have magical powers to stop the annual tidal bore that surges up the river each mid-September.

Hong Kong

Population: 6 million. Special Administrative Region

The economic centre of Asia, Hong Kong with a total area of 1092 square kilometres divided into four areas – Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and outlying islands. This former British colony was handed back to China on 1 July 1997 and is now one of China’s Special Administrative Regions.

Hong Kong is a city for tourism, and known as a fine place to visit for food, shopping, recreation and entertainment. Its natural deep water harbour is one of the best in the world and always busy, as is Hong Kong’s world-class international airport. Hong Kong is a gateway to many places in China, including Guangzhou, Macau, Zhuhai and Shenzhen.

Highlights include:

• Riding peak tram to Victoria Peak

• Sampan ride in busy Aberdeen harbour

• Nathan Road’s shops, bars, hotels, restaurants and nightclubs

• Bird and Flower markets a short walk east of the Prince Edward MTR station

• New Territories, by bus and train

• Offshore islands – Cheung Chau, Lamma, Lantau and Peng Chau

Macau

Population: 450,000. Special Administrative Region

Sixty kilometres west of Hong Kong on a peninsula on the west bank of the Pearl River, this former Portuguese colony was handed back to China in December 1999. With an area of 16 square kilometres, Macau (meaning "City of God" ) has a long history with a rich and varied culture and is best known as a tourist destination and for gambling.

Highlights include:

• Ruins de Sao Paulo, the symbol of Macau

• Fortaleza de Monte (Fort Monte), with great views and the Museum of Macau

• Colonial architecture and plush casinos

Nanjing

Population: 5 million. Jiangsu Province

Has a long historical heritage and has twice served briefly as the nation’s capital. The city lies on the southern bank of the Yangzi and has experienced long periods of prosperity in its past. This is evident by tombs, steles, pagodas and temples built by successive rulers. The city had the longest city wall in the world, 33 kms long, and much of this remains today. In 1937 the population of the city suffered severe atrocities by Japanese invaders. This fast-developing city has a large foreign student population.

Highlights include:

Ming City Wall and Gates, built in the 14^th century this was once the longest city wall in the world, with about two-thirds still standing today, as do some of the original fortified gates

Gu Lou (Drum Tower) built in the 14^th century, it lies in the centre of the city

Nanjing Bowuguan (Nanjing Museum) houses interesting exhibits ranging from Neolithic times, including a jade burial suit sewn together with silver wire

Datusha Jinianguan (Memorial of the Nanjing Massacre, documents the atrocities committed by Japanese soldiers against the Nanjing population in 1937

Fuzi Miao (Man and Son Temple), an ancient Confucian temple that was a cebtre of study for more than 1,500 years

Xu Yuan (Balmy Garden) a classical garden including the offices used by Dr Sun Yatsen

Lieshi Mudi (Martyrs’ Cemetry) a pleasant garden dedicated to revolutionaries who were executed here by the Kuomintang

Zijin Shan (Purple Mountain), a cable car or walking path to the summit provides panoramic views on Nanjing; on the southern slope is the Ming Xiaoling ( Tomb of Hong Wu)

Zhongshan Ling ( Sun Yatsen Mausoleum), the tomb lies at the top of an enormous stone stairway 323metres long and 70 metres wide, with the former leader’s crypt at the back of the memorial chamber.

Shanghai

Population: 14 million

The largest city in China ("Paris of the East") covering 6,341 square kilometres. Located on the coast where the Chang Jiang (Yangzi River) enters the sea it is an ideal trading port and is the biggest industrial centre in China and one of the five super cities of the world.

As the most prosperous business centre in China, Shanghai’s short history is blazoned with unparalleled commercial development, with the Pudong Development Area an important special economic zone.

Highlights include:

• The Bund, the single most evocative symbol of the "Paris of the East."

• Nanjing Lu (Nanjing Road) known as "China’s No. 1 Business Street" a shopper’s paradise with many shops selling an endless variety Chinese and imported goods.

• Frenchtown with its fine old European architecture left from the time the area was a French Concession last century.

• Shanghai Museum, home of one of the most impressive collections of art in China.

• Yu Gardens Bazaar (Yu Yuan Shancheng), originally built in the 16^th century, these Ming dynasty gardens and bazaar are worth a visit.

Suzhou

Population: 6 million. Jiangsu Province

Dating back 2,500 years and located on the Grand Canal, Suzhou is one of the oldest cities in the Yangzi Basin. The city is famed for its silk, gardens and canals. Because of its character, Suzhou is referred to as "Garden City, Venice of the East."

Highlights include:

• Beisi Ta (North Temple Pagoda), this temple complex goes back 1700 years with the pagoda dominating the northern end of the city

• Suzhou Bowuguan (Suzhou Museum) contains interesting maps, steles and other relics of Suzhou’s history

• Suzhou Sichou Bowuguan (Suzhou Silk Museum) houses a fascinating and extensive exhibitions of the history of Suzhou’s silk industry

• Xiqu Bowuguan (Museum of Opera and Theatre), located in the old part of the city with cobblestone lanes, this museum houses memorabilia of the performing arts

• Wangshi Yuan (Garden of the Master of the Nets) small and hard to find, this 12^th century is also used by a co-operative of woodblock artists who appreciate the peaceful atmosphere

• Liu Yian (Garden for Lingering In), this Ming dynasty garden covers three hectares and is one of the largest in Suzhou.

Tianjin

Population: 5 million. Special Municipality

Nicknamed "Shanghai of the East" because of its history as a concession to several different European nations, Tianjin is a major industrial centre producing a wide range of consumer goods known for their quality. Foreigners who live there call the city "TJ." Tianjin’s 19^th century European buildings of different styles reflect the city’s not so distant past.

Highlights include:

• Guwan Shichang (Antique Market), vendors spread blankets in the hutongs and sell a wide range of antiques and collectibles

• Guwenhua Jie (Ancient Culture Street), a recration of ancient Chinese city streets with vendors selling every type of Chinese cultural goods

• Dabei Yuan (Monastery of Deep Compassion), built in the 17^th century, this is one of the city’s largest and best preserved temples

• Zhou Enlai Jinianguan (Zhou Enlai Memorial Hall), is the enshrined classroom of Zhou Enlai who went to school here from 1913-17

• Old area, this is an area of the city where traditional architecture remains and daily life can be observed in its lanes and side streets.

Wuhan

Population: 7.5 million. Hubei Province

A major port on the Yangzi River it a cosmopolitan and lively city. It lies on both sides of the Yangzi, with two main bridges and ferries linking both sides. It is an industrial centre of national importance. It was here that Mao Zedong mae his celebrated swim across the Yangzi in July 1966.

Highlights include:

Wuhan Changjiang Daqiao (Wuhan Yangzi River Big Bridge), one of communicst China’s first great engineering achievements, this 1.1 km bridge was built in 1957

Hubei Sheng Bowuguan (Hubei Provincial Museum), houses, among other things, the 7,000 artifacts found in the tomb of Zhengouyi Tombwho from 433 BC

Mao Zedong Bieshu (Mao Zedong Villa), Mao Zedong stayed here more than 20 times during the Cultural Revolution

Huanghe Lou, a 51 metre high former military observation post is one of Wuhan’s noted landmarks.

Xi’an

Population: 7 million. Shaanxi Province

Rich in history, Xi’an has seen the rise and fall of numerous Chinese dynasties and was regarded as one of the four ancient capitals in the world.. it was sthe start of the Silk Road. The monuments and archeological sites in the city and surrounding plain are a reminder of Xi’an’s rich history going back more than 2,000 years. Xi’an’s population includes many Muslim inhabitants. The city is one of China’s main tourist attractions.

Highlights include:

• Chengqiang (City Walls), one of the few cities in China where the walls and towers, 14kms in circumference, are still visible

• Dayan Ta (Big Goose Pagoda) , built in AD 648 this impressive brick and timber building provides a fine view of the city and countryside

• Xiaoyan Ta (Little Goose Pagoda), built in was built in AD 684 as a site to hold prayers to bless the afterlife of the late Emperor Gao Zong

• Daqingzhen Si (Great Mosque), one of the largest Muslim mosques in China

• Sahanxi Lishi Bowuguan (Shaanxi History Museum), is rated as one of the best museums in China

• Army of Terracotta Warriors, ranked along with the Great Wall and the Forbidden City as one of China’s top historical sights, the 2,000 year old Army of 6,000 full size terra cotta figures is stunningly impressive

• Banpo Bowuguan (Banpo Neolithic Village), these are the ruins of a Neolithic village on the site occupied there from around 3750 BC