Prefecture-level city
A prefectural-level municipality, prefectural-level city or prefectural city; formerly known as province-administrated city from 1949 to 1983, is an administrative division of the People's Republic of China, ranking below a province and above a county in China's administrative structure. Prefectural level cities form the second level of the administrative structure. Administrative chiefs of prefectural level cities generally have the same rank as a division chief of a national ministry. Since the 1980s, most former prefectures have been renamed into prefectural level cities.
A prefectural level city is a "city" and "prefecture" 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, but instead an administrative unit comprising, typically, a main central urban area, and its much larger surrounding rural area containing many smaller cities, towns and villages. The larger prefectural level cities span over.
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, the term 市区 shìqū, 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 5 autonomous regions of the PRC, only 9 provinces and 3 autonomous regions have at least one or more second level or prefectural level divisions that are not prefectural level cities.
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
- the output of tertiary industry supersedes that of primary industry, contributing over 35% of the GDP
Shijiazhuang 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 total of three classification of prefecture-level city:- Regular prefectural level city which consist of counties, county level cities, and districts subdivisions.
- Consolidated district-governed prefectural level city which only consist of districts as it subdivisions.
- * Currently there are only 13 cities are under this classification: Ezhou, Foshan, Guangzhou, Haikou, Karamay, Nanjing, Sansha, Sanya, Shenzhen, Wuhai, Wuhan, Xiamen, Zhuhai
- Prefectural level city with no county-level divisions are cities that are not governed by any county-level divisions such as counties, county level cities, or legal administrative districts.
- * Currently there are only 4 cities are under this classification: Danzhou, Dongguan, Jiayuguan, Zhongshan
Cartographic expression and statistics
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 Town of Shawan, within Prefecture of Leshan, and attended primary school in 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 City 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 City of 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 City of 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 June 2020, there are 293 prefecture-level cities total:| City | Chinese | Province | Area | Founded | Former divisions |
| Anqing | 安庆市 | Anhui | 13,528 | 1979-11-04 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Bengbu | 蚌埠市 | Anhui | 5,912 | 1949-10-01 | Inherited from Nationalist government |
| Bozhou | 亳州市 | Anhui | 8,429 | 2000-05-21 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Chizhou | 池州市 | Anhui | 8,272 | 2000-06-25 | Reorganized from Chizhou Prefecture |
| Chuzhou | 滁州市 | Anhui | 13,398 | 1992-12-20 | Reorganized from Chuxian Prefecture |
| Fuyang | 阜阳市 | Anhui | 9,775 | 1996-01-01 | Reorganized from Fuyang Prefecture |
| Hefei | 合肥市 | Anhui | 11,496 | 1949-10-01 | Carved out of Hefei County |
| Huaibei | 淮北市 | Anhui | 2,732 | 1960-04-16 | Upgraded from Huaibei Mining District |
| Huainan | 淮南市 | Anhui | 5,650 | 1951-01-18 | Upgraded from Huainan Mining District |
| Huangshan | 黄山市 | Anhui | 9,807 | 1987-11-27 | Reorganized from Huizhou Prefecture |
| Lu'an | 六安市 | Anhui | 15,452 | 1999-09-02 | Reorganized from Lu'an Prefecture |
| Ma'anshan | 马鞍山市 | Anhui | 4,042 | 1956-10-12 | Upgraded from Ma'anshan Mining District |
| Suzhou | 宿州市 | Anhui | 9,787 | 1998-12-06 | Reorganized from Suxian Prefecture |
| Tongling | 铜陵市 | Anhui | 3,008 | 1971-12-11 | Reorganized from Tongling Prefecture |
| Wuhu | 芜湖市 | Anhui | 5,987 | 1972-12-30 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Xuancheng | 宣城市 | Anhui | 12,340 | 2000-06-25 | Reorganized from Xuancheng Prefecture |
| 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 |
| Nanping | 南平市 | Fujian | 26,312 | 1994-09-05 | Reorganized from Nanping Prefecture |
| Ningde | 宁德市 | Fujian | 13,644 | 1999-11-14 | Reorganized from Ningde Prefecture |
| Putian | 莆田市 | Fujian | 3,895 | 1983-09-09 | Carved out of Putian County |
| Quanzhou | 泉州市 | Fujian | 10,864 | 1985-05-14 | Reorganized from Jinjiang Prefecture |
| Sanming | 三明市 | Fujian | 23,191 | 1983-04-28 | Reorganized from Sanming Prefecture |
| Xiamen | 厦门市 | Fujian | 1,516 | 1949-10-01 | Inherited from Nationalist government |
| Zhangzhou | 漳州市 | Fujian | 12,608 | 1985-05-14 | Reorganized from Longxi Prefecture |
| Baiyin | 白银市 | Gansu | 21,210 | 1985-05-14 | Upgraded from Baiyin District, Lanzhou |
| Dingxi | 定西市 | Gansu | 20,330 | 2003-04-04 | Reorganized from Dingxi Prefecture |
| Jiayuguan | 嘉峪关市 | Gansu | 2,935 | 1971-09-10 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Jinchang | 金昌市 | Gansu | 8,927 | 1981-02-09 | Carved out of Yongchang County |
| Jiuquan | 酒泉市 | Gansu | 189,997 | 2002-06-18 | Reorganized from Jiuquan Prefecture |
| 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 |
| Pingliang | 平凉市 | Gansu | 11,169 | 2002-06-02 | Reorganized from Pingliang Prefecture |
| Qingyang | 庆阳市 | Gansu | 27,119 | 2002-06-22 | Reorganized from Qingyang Prefecture |
| Tianshui | 天水市 | Gansu | 14,431 | 1985-07-08 | Reorganized from Tianshui Prefecture |
| Wuwei | 武威市 | Gansu | 33,238 | 2001-05-09 | Reorganized from Wuwei Prefecture |
| Zhangye | 张掖市 | Gansu | 40,826 | 2002-03-01 | Reorganized from Zhangye Prefecture |
| Chaozhou | 潮州市 | Guangdong | 3,098 | 1991-12-07 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Dongguan | 东莞市 | Guangdong | 2,512 | 1988-01-07 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Foshan | 佛山市 | Guangdong | 3,875 | 1975-11-22 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Guangzhou | 广州市 | Guangdong | 7,436 | 1954-06-19 | Downgraded from municipality |
| Heyuan | 河源市 | Guangdong | 15,644 | 1988-01-07 | Upgraded from Heyuan County |
| Huizhou | 惠州市 | Guangdong | 11,159 | 1988-01-07 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Jiangmen | 江门市 | Guangdong | 9,554 | 1975-11-22 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Jieyang | 揭阳市 | Guangdong | 5,269 | 1991-12-07 | Upgraded from Jieyang County |
| Maoming | 茂名市 | Guangdong | 11,345 | 1975-11-22 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Meizhou | 梅州市 | Guangdong | 15,925 | 1988-01-07 | Reorganized from Meixian Prefecture |
| Qingyuan | 清远市 | Guangdong | 19,265 | 1988-01-07 | Upgraded from Qingyuan County |
| Shantou | 汕头市 | Guangdong | 2,123 | 1975-11-22 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Shanwei | 汕尾市 | Guangdong | 4,957 | 1988-01-07 | Carved out of Haifeng County |
| Shaoguan | 韶关市 | Guangdong | 18,398 | 1975-11-22 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Shenzhen | 深圳市 | Guangdong | 2,019.95 | 1979-03-05 | Upgraded from Bao'an County |
| Yangjiang | 阳江市 | Guangdong | 8,006 | 1988-01-07 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Yunfu | 云浮市 | Guangdong | 7,778 | 1994-04-05 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Zhanjiang | 湛江市 | Guangdong | 11,692 | 1975-11-22 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Zhaoqing | 肇庆市 | Guangdong | 15,006 | 1988-01-07 | Reorganized from Zhaoqing Prefecture |
| Zhongshan | 中山市 | Guangdong | 1,770 | 1988-01-07 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Zhuhai | 珠海市 | Guangdong | 1,696 | 1979-03-05 | Upgraded from Zhuhai County |
| Baise | 百色市 | Guangxi | 36,206 | 2002-06-02 | Reorganized from Baise Prefecture |
| Beihai | 北海市 | Guangxi | 3,337 | 1983-10-08 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Chongzuo | 崇左市 | Guangxi | 17,331 | 2002-12-23 | Reorganized from Nanning Prefecture |
| Fangchenggang | 防城港市 | Guangxi | 6,227 | 1993-05-23 | Upgraded from Fangcheng County |
| Guigang | 贵港市 | Guangxi | 10,596 | 1995-10-27 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Guilin | 桂林市 | Guangxi | 27,809 | 1961-11-25 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Hechi | 河池市 | Guangxi | 33,494 | 2002-06-18 | Reorganized from Hechi Prefecture |
| Hezhou | 贺州市 | Guangxi | 11,855 | 2002-06-18 | Reorganized from Hezhou Prefecture |
| Laibin | 来宾市 | Guangxi | 13,386 | 2002-09-29 | Reorganized from Liuzhou Prefecture |
| Liuzhou | 柳州市 | Guangxi | 18,652 | 1961-11-25 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Nanning | 南宁市 | Guangxi | 22,341 | 1961-12-23 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Qinzhou | 钦州市 | Guangxi | 10,783 | 1994-06-28 | Reorganized from Qinzhou Prefecture |
| Wuzhou | 梧州市 | Guangxi | 12,582 | 1961-11-25 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Yulin | 玉林市 | Guangxi | 12,839 | 1997-04-22 | Reorganized from Yulin Prefecture |
| Anshun | 安顺市 | Guizhou | 9,269 | 2000-06-23 | Reorganized from Anshun Prefecture |
| Bijie | 毕节市 | Guizhou | 26,852 | 2011-10-22 | Reorganized from Bijie Prefecture |
| 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 |
| Tongren | 铜仁市 | Guizhou | 18,002 | 2011-10-22 | Reorganized from Tongren Prefecture |
| Zunyi | 遵义市 | Guizhou | 30,750.41 | 1997-06-10 | Reorganized from Zunyi Prefecture |
| Danzhou | 儋州市 | Hainan | 3,400 | 2015-02-19 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Haikou | 海口市 | Hainan | 2,315 | 1986-05-31 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Sansha | 三沙市 | Hainan | 13 | 2012-06-21 | Upgraded from XNZ Islands Authority |
| Sanya | 三亚市 | Hainan | 1,918 | 1987-11-20 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Baoding | 保定市 | Hebei | 22,135 | 1983-11-15 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Cangzhou | 沧州市 | Hebei | 13,488 | 1983-11-15 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Chengde | 承德市 | Hebei | 39,719 | 1983-11-15 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Handan | 邯郸市 | Hebei | 12,066.18 | 1983-11-15 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Hengshui | 衡水市 | Hebei | 8,758 | 1996-05-31 | Reorganized from Hengshui Prefecture |
| Langfang | 廊坊市 | Hebei | 6,420 | 1988-09-13 | Reorganized from Langfang Prefecture |
| Qinhuangdao | 秦皇岛市 | Hebei | 7,813 | 1983-03-03 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Shijiazhuang | 石家庄市 | Hebei | 14,530 | 1978-03-11 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Tangshan | 唐山市 | Hebei | 13,829 | 1978-03-11 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Xingtai | 邢台市 | Hebei | 12,143 | 1983-11-15 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Zhangjiakou | 张家口市 | Hebei | 36,303 | 1983-11-15 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Daqing | 大庆市 | Heilongjiang | 21,643 | 1965-12-28 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Harbin | 哈尔滨市 | Heilongjiang | 53,186 | 1954-06-19 | Downgraded from municipality |
| Hegang | 鹤岗市 | Heilongjiang | 14,665 | 1966-02-08 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Heihe | 黑河市 | Heilongjiang | 68,285 | 1993-02-08 | Reorganized from Heihe Prefecture |
| Jiamusi | 佳木斯市 | Heilongjiang | 32,470 | 1983-10-08 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Jixi | 鸡西市 | Heilongjiang | 22,551 | 1966-02-08 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Mudanjiang | 牡丹江市 | Heilongjiang | 38,827 | 1983-10-08 | Reorganized from Mudanjiang Prefecture |
| Qiqihar | 齐齐哈尔市 | Heilongjiang | 44,287 | 1964-01-15 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Qitaihe | 七台河市 | Heilongjiang | 6,221 | 1983-10-08 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Shuangyashan | 双鸭山市 | Heilongjiang | 22,802 | 1966-02-08 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Suihua | 绥化市 | Heilongjiang | 35,211 | 1999-12-28 | Reorganized from Suihua Prefecture |
| Yichun | 伊春市 | Heilongjiang | 32,800 | 1979-12-14 | Reorganized from Yichun Prefecture |
| Anyang | 安阳市 | Henan | 7,355 | 1982-03-10 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Hebi | 鹤壁市 | Henan | 2,299 | 1974-01-19 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Jiaozuo | 焦作市 | Henan | 4,072 | 1974-01-19 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Kaifeng | 开封市 | Henan | 6,247 | 1961-12-25 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Luohe | 漯河市 | Henan | 2,617 | 1986-01-18 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Luoyang | 洛阳市 | Henan | 15,492 | 1964-04-30 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Nanyang | 南阳市 | Henan | 26,591 | 1994-07-01 | Reorganized from Nanyang Prefecture |
| Pingdingshan | 平顶山市 | Henan | 7,874 | 1969-03-15 | Reorganized from Pingdingshan Prefecture |
| Puyang | 濮阳市 | Henan | 4,266 | 1983-09-01 | Upgraded from Puyang County |
| Sanmenxia | 三门峡市 | Henan | 10,475 | 1986-01-18 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Shangqiu | 商丘市 | Henan | 10,658 | 1997-06-10 | Reorganized from Shangqiu Prefecture |
| Xinxiang | 新乡市 | Henan | 8,629 | 1982-03-10 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Xinyang | 信阳市 | Henan | 18,819 | 1998-06-09 | Reorganized from Xinyang Prefecture |
| Xuchang | 许昌市 | Henan | 4,977 | 1986-01-18 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Zhengzhou | 郑州市 | Henan | 7,507 | 1949-10-01 | Upgraded from Zheng County |
| Zhoukou | 周口市 | Henan | 11,968 | 2000-06-08 | Reorganized from Zhoukou Prefecture |
| Zhumadian | 驻马店市 | Henan | 14,974 | 2000-06-08 | Reorganized from Zhumadian Prefecture |
| Ezhou | 鄂州市 | Hubei | 1,505 | 1983-08-19 | Upgraded from Echeng & Echeng County |
| Huanggang | 黄冈市 | Hubei | 17,453 | 1995-12-23 | Upgraded from Huanggang Prefecture |
| Huangshi | 黄石市 | Hubei | 4,576 | 1950-08-30 | Reorganized from Huangshi Special District |
| Jingmen | 荆门市 | Hubei | 12,100 | 1983-08-19 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Jingzhou | 荆州市 | Hubei | 14,104 | 1994-09-29 | Reorganized from Jingzhou Prefecture & Shashi |
| Shiyan | 十堰市 | Hubei | 23,698 | 1973-02-17 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Suizhou | 随州市 | Hubei | 9,636 | 2000-06-25 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Wuhan | 武汉市 | Hubei | 8,483 | 1954-06-19 | Downgraded from municipality |
| Xiangyang | 襄阳市 | Hubei | 19,626 | 1979-06-21 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Xianning | 咸宁市 | Hubei | 10,019 | 1998-12-06 | Reorganized from Xianning Prefecture |
| Xiaogan | 孝感市 | Hubei | 8,941 | 1993-04-10 | Reorganized from Xiaogan Prefecture |
| Yichang | 宜昌市 | Hubei | 21,081 | 1979-06-21 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Changde | 常德市 | Hunan | 18,190 | 1988-01-23 | Reorganized from Changde Prefecture |
| 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 |
| Hengyang | 衡阳市 | Hunan | 15,300 | 1980-02-20 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Huaihua | 怀化市 | Hunan | 27,573 | 1997-11-29 | Reorganized from Huaihua Prefecture |
| Loudi | 娄底市 | Hunan | 8,110 | 1999-01-20 | Reorganized from Loudi Prefecture |
| Shaoyang | 邵阳市 | Hunan | 20,822 | 1980-02-20 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Xiangtan | 湘潭市 | Hunan | 5,005 | 1980-02-20 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Yiyang | 益阳市 | Hunan | 12,320 | 1994-03-07 | Reorganized from Yiyang Prefecture |
| Yongzhou | 永州市 | Hunan | 22,259 | 1995-11-21 | Reorganized from Lingling Prefecture |
| Yueyang | 岳阳市 | Hunan | 14,858 | 1983-02-08 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Zhangjiajie | 张家界市 | Hunan | 9,534 | 1988-05-18 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Zhuzhou | 株洲市 | Hunan | 11,248 | 1956-11-30 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| 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 |
| Chifeng | 赤峰市 | Inner Mongolia | 90,064 | 1983-10-10 | Reorganized from Ju'ud League |
| 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 |
| Ordos | 鄂尔多斯市 | Inner Mongolia | 86,873.55 | 2001-02-26 | Reorganized from Ihju League |
| Tongliao | 通辽市 | Inner Mongolia | 59,364 | 1999-01-13 | Reorganized from Jirem League |
| Ulanqab | 乌兰察布市 | Inner Mongolia | 54,795 | 2003-12-01 | Reorganized from Ulanqab League |
| Wuhai | 乌海市 | Inner Mongolia | 1,754 | 1975-08-30 | Merger of Wuda & Haibowan cities |
| Changzhou | 常州市 | Jiangsu | 4,374 | 1962-06-25 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Huai'an | 淮安市 | Jiangsu | 10,047 | 1983-01-18 | Reorganized from Huaiyin Prefecture |
| Lianyungang | 连云港市 | Jiangsu | 7,614 | 1962-06-25 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Nanjing | 南京市 | Jiangsu | 6,586 | 1953-12-17 | Downgraded from municipality |
| Nantong | 南通市 | Jiangsu | 8,001 | 1962-06-25 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Suqian | 宿迁市 | Jiangsu | 8,462 | 1996-07-19 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Suzhou | 苏州市 | Jiangsu | 8,488 | 1962-06-25 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Taizhou | 泰州市 | Jiangsu | 5,788 | 1996-07-19 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Wuxi | 无锡市 | Jiangsu | 4,628 | 1949-10-01 | Carved out of Wuxi County |
| Xuzhou | 徐州市 | Jiangsu | 11,258 | 1962-06-25 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Yancheng | 盐城市 | Jiangsu | 16,972 | 1983-01-18 | Reorganized from Yancheng Prefecture |
| Yangzhou | 扬州市 | Jiangsu | 6,592 | 1983-01-18 | Reorganized from Yangzhou Prefecture |
| Zhenjiang | 镇江市 | Jiangsu | 3,847 | 1983-01-18 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Fuzhou | 抚州市 | Jiangxi | 18,817 | 2000-06-23 | Reorganized from Fuzhou Prefecture |
| Ganzhou | 赣州市 | Jiangxi | 39,379 | 1998-12-24 | Reorganized from Ganzhou Prefecture |
| Ji'an | 吉安市 | Jiangxi | 25,341 | 2000-05-11 | Reorganized from Ji'an Prefecture |
| Jingdezhen | 景德镇市 | Jiangxi | 5,270 | 1953-06-15 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Jiujiang | 九江市 | Jiangxi | 18,823 | 1980-03-28 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| 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 |
| Shangrao | 上饶市 | Jiangxi | 22,791 | 2000-06-23 | Reorganized from Shangrao Prefecture |
| Xinyu | 新余市 | Jiangxi | 3,178 | 1983-07-27 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Yichun | 宜春市 | Jiangxi | 18,707 | 2000-05-22 | Reorganized from Yichun Prefecture |
| Yingtan | 鹰潭市 | Jiangxi | 3,554 | 1983-07-27 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Baicheng | 白城市 | Jilin | 25,683 | 1993-06-14 | Reorganized from Baicheng Prefecture |
| Baishan | 白山市 | Jilin | 17,485 | 1985-02-04 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Changchun | 长春市 | Jilin | 24,592 | 1954-06-19 | Downgraded from municipality |
| 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 |
| Siping | 四平市 | Jilin | 10,296 | 1983-08-30 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Songyuan | 松原市 | Jilin | 20,159 | 1992-06-06 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Tonghua | 通化市 | Jilin | 15,698 | 1985-02-04 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Anshan | 鞍山市 | Liaoning | 9,252 | 1954-06-19 | Downgraded from municipality |
| Benxi | 本溪市 | Liaoning | 8,413 | 1954-06-19 | Downgraded from municipality |
| Chaoyang | 朝阳市 | Liaoning | 19,736 | 1984-06-30 | Reorganized from Chaoyang Prefecture |
| Dalian | 大连市 | Liaoning | 13,238 | 1954-06-19 | Downgraded from municipality |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Panjin | 盘锦市 | Liaoning | 4,121 | 1984-06-05 | Upgraded from Panshan County |
| Shenyang | 沈阳市 | Liaoning | 12,980 | 1954-06-19 | Downgraded from municipality |
| Tieling | 铁岭市 | Liaoning | 13,029 | 1984-06-30 | Reorganized from Tieling Prefecture |
| 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 |
| Shizuishan | 石嘴山市 | Ningxia | 5,208 | 1975-11-23 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Wuzhong | 吴忠市 | Ningxia | 21,420 | 1998-05-11 | Reorganized from Yinnan Prefecture |
| Yinchuan | 银川市 | Ningxia | 8,874 | 1958-08-11 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Zhongwei | 中卫市 | Ningxia | 17,448 | 2003-12-31 | Upgraded from Zhongwei County |
| Haidong | 海东市 | Qinghai | 13,202 | 2013-02-08 | Reorganized from Haidong Prefecture |
| Xining | 西宁市 | Qinghai | 7,679 | 1956-07-14 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Ankang | 安康市 | Shaanxi | 23,535 | 2000-06-23 | Reorganized from Ankang Prefecture |
| Baoji | 宝鸡市 | Shaanxi | 18,162 | 1971-10-05 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Hanzhong | 汉中市 | Shaanxi | 27,093 | 1996-02-21 | Reorganized from Hanzhong Prefecture |
| Shangluo | 商洛市 | Shaanxi | 19,581 | 2001-08-31 | Reorganized from Shangluo Prefecture |
| Tongchuan | 铜川市 | Shaanxi | 3,881 | 1966-06-24 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Weinan | 渭南市 | Shaanxi | 13,033 | 1994-12-17 | Reorganized from Weinan Prefecture |
| Xi'an | 西安市 | Shaanxi | 10,106 | 1954-06-19 | Downgraded from municipality |
| Xianyang | 咸阳市 | Shaanxi | 10,283 | 1983-09-09 | Reorganized from Xianyang Prefecture |
| Yan'an | 延安市 | Shaanxi | 37,032 | 1996-11-05 | Reorganized from Yan'an Prefecture |
| Yulin | 榆林市 | Shaanxi | 42,923 | 1999-12-05 | Reorganized from Yulin Prefecture |
| Binzhou | 滨州市 | Shandong | 9,156 | 2000-06-10 | Reorganized from Binzhou Prefecture |
| Dezhou | 德州市 | Shandong | 10,361 | 1994-12-17 | Reorganized from Dezhou Prefecture |
| Dongying | 东营市 | Shandong | 8,617 | 1982-11-10 | Carved out of Huimin Prefecture |
| Heze | 菏泽市 | Shandong | 12,256 | 2000-06-23 | Reorganized from Heze Prefecture |
| 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 |
| Liaocheng | 聊城市 | Shandong | 8,721 | 1997-08-29 | Reorganized from Liaocheng Prefecture |
| Linyi | 临沂市 | Shandong | 17,192 | 1994-12-17 | Reorganized from Linyi Prefecture |
| 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 |
| Tai'an | 泰安市 | Shandong | 7,762 | 1985-03-27 | Reorganized from Tai'an Prefecture |
| Weifang | 潍坊市 | Shandong | 16,138 | 1983-08-30 | Reorganized from Weifang Prefecture |
| Weihai | 威海市 | Shandong | 5,797 | 1987-06-15 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Yantai | 烟台市 | Shandong | 13,654 | 1983-08-30 | Reorganized from Yantai Prefecture |
| Zaozhuang | 枣庄市 | Shandong | 4,564 | 1961-09-12 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Zibo | 淄博市 | Shandong | 5,964 | 1961-09-12 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Changzhi | 长治市 | Shanxi | 13,945 | 1975-07-09 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Datong | 大同市 | Shanxi | 14,056 | 1972-03-09 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Jincheng | 晋城市 | Shanxi | 9,425 | 1985-04-30 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Jinzhong | 晋中市 | Shanxi | 16,391 | 1999-09-24 | Reorganized from Jinzhong Prefecture |
| Linfen | 临汾市 | Shanxi | 20,301 | 2000-06-23 | Reorganized from Linfen Prefecture |
| Lüliang | 吕梁市 | Shanxi | 21,140 | 2003-10-23 | Reorganized from Lüliang Prefecture |
| Shuozhou | 朔州市 | Shanxi | 10,626 | 1988-03-24 | Upgraded from Shuo County & Pinglu County |
| 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 |
| Yangquan | 阳泉市 | Shanxi | 4,559 | 1972-03-09 | Upgraded from prefecture-controlled city |
| Yuncheng | 运城市 | Shanxi | 14,183 | 2000-06-14 | Reorganized from Yuncheng Prefecture |
| Bazhong | 巴中市 | Sichuan | 12,292 | 2000-06-14 | Reorganized from Bazhong Prefecture |
| 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 |
| Deyang | 德阳市 | Sichuan | 5,911 | 1983-08-18 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Guang'an | 广安市 | Sichuan | 6,344 | 1998-07-31 | Reorganized from Guang'an Prefecture |
| Guangyuan | 广元市 | Sichuan | 16,310 | 1985-02-08 | Upgraded from Guangyuan County |
| Leshan | 乐山市 | Sichuan | 12,759 | 1985-02-11 | Reorganized from Leshan Prefecture |
| Luzhou | 泸州市 | Sichuan | 12,232 | 1983-03-03 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Meishan | 眉山市 | Sichuan | 7,134 | 2000-06-10 | Reorganized from Meishan Prefecture |
| Mianyang | 绵阳市 | Sichuan | 20,257 | 1985-02-08 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Neijiang | 内江市 | Sichuan | 5,386 | 1985-02-11 | Reorganized from Neijiang Prefecture |
| Nanchong | 南充市 | Sichuan | 12,514 | 1993-07-02 | Reorganized from Nanchong Prefecture |
| Panzhihua | 攀枝花市 | Sichuan | 7,440 | 1965-04-22 | Upgraded from Panzhihua Special District |
| Suining | 遂宁市 | Sichuan | 5,326 | 1985-02-08 | Upgraded from Suining County |
| Ya'an | 雅安市 | Sichuan | 15,303 | 2000-06-14 | Reorganized from Ya'an Prefecture |
| Yibin | 宜宾市 | Sichuan | 13,271 | 1996-10-05 | Reorganized from Yibin Prefecture |
| 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 |
| Lhasa | 拉萨市 | Tibet | 31,662 | 1960-01-07 | Carved out of :zh:绛曲基巧|Changchub Jurisdiction |
| Qamdo | 昌都市 | Tibet | 110,154 | 2014-10-20 | Reorganized from Qamdo Prefecture |
| Nagqu | 那曲市 | Tibet | 369,674 | 2017-07-18 | Reorganized from Nagqu Prefecture |
| Nyingchi | 林芝市 | Tibet | 116,175 | 2015-03-16 | Reorganized from Nyingchi Prefecture |
| Shannan | 山南市 | Tibet | 79,699 | 2016-01-07 | Reorganized from Shannan Prefecture |
| Xigazê | 日喀则市 | Tibet | 182,000 | 2014-06-26 | Reorganized from Xigazê Prefecture |
| Hami | 哈密市 | Xinjiang | 138,919 | 2016-01-07 | Reorganized from Hami Prefecture |
| Karamay | 克拉玛依市 | Xinjiang | 7,734 | 1982-02-16 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Turpan | 吐鲁番市 | Xinjiang | 70,049 | 2015-03-16 | Reorganized from Turpan Prefecture |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Lijiang | 丽江市 | Yunnan | 21,219 | 2002-12-26 | Reorganized from Lijiang Prefecture |
| Pu'er | 普洱市 | Yunnan | 45,385 | 2003-10-30 | Reorganized from Simao Prefecture |
| Qujing | 曲靖市 | Yunnan | 29,855 | 1997-05-06 | Reorganized from Qujing Prefecture |
| Yuxi | 玉溪市 | Yunnan | 15,285 | 1997-12-13 | Reorganized from Yuxi Prefecture |
| Zhaotong | 昭通市 | Yunnan | 23,021 | 2001-01-13 | Reorganized from Zhaotong Prefecture |
| 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 |
| Jiaxing | 嘉兴市 | Zhejiang | 3,915 | 1983-07-27 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Jinhua | 金华市 | Zhejiang | 10,919 | 1985-05-15 | Reorganized from Jinhua Prefecture |
| Lishui | 丽水市 | Zhejiang | 17,298 | 2000-05-20 | Reorganized from Lishui Prefecture |
| Ningbo | 宁波市 | Zhejiang | 9,365 | 1949-12-20 | Carved out of Yin County |
| Quzhou | 衢州市 | Zhejiang | 8,837 | 1985-05-15 | Upgraded from county-level city |
| Shaoxing | 绍兴市 | Zhejiang | 8,256 | 1983-07-27 | Reorganized from Shaoxing Prefecture |
| Taizhou | 台州市 | Zhejiang | 9,413 | 1994-08-22 | Reorganized from Taizhou Prefecture |
| Wenzhou | 温州市 | Zhejiang | 11,784 | 1949-11-06 | Carved out of Yongjia County |
| Zhoushan | 舟山市 | Zhejiang | 1,440 | 1987-01-23 | Reorganized from Zhoushan Prefecture |