China has many cities with more than a million residents. In this article, 10 of the most vibrant, dynamic and historically significant Chinese cities are introduced briefly.
Beijing
The capital city has a population of over 21 million people. It is known for centuries of history, imperial palaces, iconic architecture like the Forbidden City and Great Wall.
Beijing is China’s second largest city, after Shanghai. It is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and motorways passing through the city. It is also the focal point of many international flights to China. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of the Peoples Republic of China.
Shanghai
Shanghai is an international city, which has attracted so many foreigners from all over the world. There are many beautiful places such as the oriental pearl TV tower, Huangpu River and so on. Of these places of interest, the oriental pearl TV tower is so attractive that none has left Shanghai without visiting it. It is so tall that all the visitors have to go upstairs by elevators.
The view from the top of the tower is very grand especially at night. Besides, enjoying the beautiful view on a ship by the Huangpu River is very exciting. The beautiful lights from the tall buildings along the river make the river a so beautiful place. During the river tour we can also see the outer part of the oriental pearl TV tower. Also there is much delicious food, such as pan-fried steamed bun, etc.
Shenzhen
This southern city of over 10 million has transformed from a fishing village in the 1980s to a thriving tech hub with the world’s fastest-growing economy.
There are many famous places of interest in Shenzhen. In the Window Of The World, you can see many interesting things from all over the world. You will know the history in Asian in the Asian region. In the World Sculpture Park, many sculpture will be seen in the bushes. There are the Sanxingdui bronze and The Napoleon’s sister. It show the different wisdom from different culture.
Wuhan
Wuhan composed of the three towns of Wuchang, Hankou and Hanyang is the capital of Hubei Province. The three towns are separated by the Yangtze and Hanshui river and linked by bridges. Because these municipalities are so closely connected by waterways, Wuhan is also called the “city on rivers“. Being the largest inland port on the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and a major stop on the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway, Wuhan is one of China’s most important hubs of water and rail transportation and communications.
Wuhan has an old history and rich cultural traditions. It began to prosper as a commercial town about two thousand years ago when it was called Yingwuzhou (Parrot beach). From the first century to the beginning of the third century the towns of Hanyang and Wuchang began to take shape. During the Song Dynasty (960-1279) the area became one of the most prosperous commercial centers along the Yangtze River. By the end of the Ming Dynasty(1368- 1644), Hankou had become one of the four most famous cities in China.
Today Wuhan is the political economic and cultural center of Central China. It boasts of one of China’s leading iron and steel complexes – the Wuhan Iron and Steel Corporation. Wuhan is also a city with a strong revolutionary tradition.
Chengdu
Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province in China, has been recognized as “the land of abundance” for a long time. With rich cultural heritage, Chengdu is one of the most popular destinations for tourists in China.
Chengdu is a city where everyone doesn’t want to leave. There are many famous scenic spots such as Jingli, Kuanzai Street, Tianfu Square and Chengdu Panda Base. In Chengdu, you can not only enjoy shopping in Tianfu square, walking on the ancient streets and buy souvenirs in traditional houses or stores on Jingli and Kuangzai Street, but also play with cute pandas and help feed their cubs in the Panda Base. Furthermore, watching a Sichuan Opera Show will also provide a newer with unforgettable and precious memories.
Chongqing
Chongqing, located in the southwest of China, is called by “the mountain city” .Chongqing has 82,403 square kilometers, the entire city has 31,140,000 populations approximately. The climate is temperate and suits people to live. In addition, Chongqing also has many scenery scenic spot such as Hongya Cave.
Chongqing’s snack is extremely famous, for example the hot pot, the hot and sour soup and so on. Hot pot is the most famous and favorite dish in Chongqing. Chongqing local people consider the hot pot a local specialty, which is noted for its peppery and hot taste, scalding yet fresh and tender. People gather around a small pot boiled with charcoal, electric or gas filled with flavorful and nutritious soup base. You have a choice of spicy, pure and combo for the soup base. Thin sliced raw variety meat, fish, various bean curd products and all kinds of vegetables are boiled in the soup base.
Xi’an
Xi’an with more than 3,100 years of history, also called Chang’ an in ancient times, is the capital of Shanxi province in China and a sub-provincial city. As one of the most important cities in Chinese history, Xi’an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China because it has been the capital of 13 dynasties including the Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang. Xi’an is also renowned for being the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and the location of the Terracotta Army from Qin Dynasty.
When you come to Xi’ an, you will see the world famous walls. As you reach the foot of the wall, you’ll see the Great Wall is like a warrior of a full-body armor, guarding the ancient city.
Besides, Xi ‘an has a variety of delicious food. Walking back in the street, you can taste the delicious meat, bread in the soup, oil chili sauce, etc.
Hangzhou
Hangzhou, located in East China, is the capital city of Zhejiang Province. In addition, located in the lower reaches of the Qiantang River and at the southern end of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Hangzhou is an important central city in the Yangtze River Delta and a transportation hub in southeast China.
There are many cultural monuments in Hangzhou, and there are a large number of natural and cultural landscape relics in and around the West Lake. The representative ones are West Lake culture, Liangzhu culture, silk culture and tea culture. Besides, because of its beautiful scenery, Hangzhou is known as “heaven on earth“.
Nanjing
As the capital of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing is an important central city in eastern China, an important scientific research and education base and a comprehensive transportation hub. Located in the east of China and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Nanjing has a long history and is known as “the world’s literary hub” and “the first School in Southeast China“.
Nanjing cuisine is famous for Jinling cuisine include egg siu mai, beauty liver, anchovy shrimp, squirrel fish. Besides, Jinling snacks ranked first among the four major snacks in China, the main concentration of old men East, Confucius Temple, Lion Bridge and so on.
Dalian
located in Liaoning Province, Dalian, also known as the City of Riverside and the City of Romance, is in the southernmost part of Northeast China, surrounded by the sea on three sides, the Yellow Sea on the east, the Bohai Sea on the west, and the Shandong Peninsula on the south.
With a long history, Dalian is an important port, industry, trade, finance and tourism city in China. Dalian has beautiful scenery and many places of interest. What’s more, its special snacks are delicious like Abalone and sea cucumber.
In summary, these cities show the diversity of China’s geography, culture and history, each with their own attractions and unique character. Welcome to China and Enjoy the beauty of the cities!