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Author: Mike Cairnduff | Last updated: Mar. 28, 2026
China is a diverse country made up of many different provinces and regions.
From the icy cold north to the tropical south, each part of China can be grouped into one of the following:
Collectively, most people call all of these areas ‘provinces’ even though that’s not technically true. Each area is governed a little differently.
Map of China carved up into all the different divisions. Image by Rainer Lesniewski on Shutterstock.
Keep reading to find out more about each corner of this unique country. I’ve been to most areas, and I’ll share helpful travel tips along the way.
Here are each of China’s 23 provinces, ordered in terms of population size.
Each province has key differences in terms of people, language, culture, wealth and even food.
The provinces in the southeast of China, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong, are among the most developed areas in the country.
Shenzhen is a booming city in Guangdong. Image by Joshua Fernandez on Unsplash.
The country’s most populated province is also the wealthiest. Locals speak Cantonese, and migrants from all over China come to Guangdong to find work and a better life.
Tech city, Shenzhen, is China’s version of Silicon Valley and is now an economic rival to Hong Kong.
My best travel tip: The humidity in Guangdong is insane in the middle of the year, so I recommend visiting at other times unless you love the tropics.
See my Guangzhou travel guide.
Shandong province is the home of Tsingtao Beer. Image by Mike Cairnduff.
In coastal city Qingdao, you can marvel at the German-era architecture before fighting for a spot at one of the busy beaches.
My best travel tip: No trip to Qingdao would be complete without drinking a glass of its famous homegrown beer, Tsingtao.
Henan is famous for Kung Fu. Image by danieltayxs on Pixabay.
Henan is the birthplace of Chinese civilization. Here you can practice Kung Fu at the Shaolin Temple, brave the Zhangjiajie Skywalk Footbridge or be awed by the Longmen Caves.
Nanjing City Wall. Image by Gwen24 on Pixabay.
A rich and densely populated province, Jiangsu is a great place for the cultured tourist. Check out Nanjing, which used to be the capital of China, or one of the many water towns like Zhouzhuang, where there are little canals everywhere.
My best travel tip: If you enjoy walking like me, dedicate a day to the Nanjing City Wall which is surprisingly long and has different sections to explore.
The Giant Buddha in Leshan, Sichuan. Image by Mike Cairnduff.
Sichuan is synonymous with spicy Chinese food. Although it’s one of the most densely populated provinces in the country, it enjoys a more relaxed vibe than most other provinces.
There are also plenty of things to do in and around Chengdu, including seeing the Giant Buddha and world-famous panda sanctuary. In terms of geography, Sichuan is the second largest China province.
My best travel tip: From Chengdu, do an overnight stay at Mount Emei where you can hike up one of China’s holiest mountains. I loved this place.
Tourists generally don’t make a beeline for this province. Image by Angelo Qin on Unsplash.
Hebei is located in China’s industrial and coal-reliant north. Winter heating emissions and heavy industry make it one of the country’s most polluted provinces.
But this Chinese province envelops the Beijing municipality, so chances are you might step foot in Hebei if you visit parts of the Great Wall of China.
A tree-lined street in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Image by James Peng on Pixabay.
Located on the east coast, just south of Shanghai, Zhejiang is a hilly province with picturesque scenery. The capital, Hangzhou, is regarded as one of China’s greenest and most beautiful cities.
My best travel tip: The famous Green Lake in Hangzhou is enormous and you’ll need wheels to travel around it.
Mao started his political movement in Hunan. Image by John Lock on Shutterstock.
Hunan’s capital, Changsha, has a colorful history. Mao Zedong, the founder of the People’s Republic of China, began his political career here. And, the city was briefly occupied by the Japanese in the Sino-Japanese War (1931–1945).
If you’re a history buff, then check out this modern Chinese history timeline.
Majestic Yellow Mountain in Anhui. Image by simuwater on Pixabay.
Huang Shan, or Yellow Mountain, is Anhui’s major tourist drawcard. Prepare for a whole day exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan, Hubei. Image by sansereyroth on Pixabay.
Before early 2020, Hubei wasn’t very well-known internationally. But then the coronavirus came along, which well and truly put this province on the map.
My best travel tip: Whether you’re in Hubei or any other Chinese province, make sure you’ve installed an eSIM before you arrive so you can access mobile data on the go.
Yunnan rooftops. Image by Charlottees on Pixabay.
Yunnan borders Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar in the south of China. Capital city Kunming has one of the mildest climates in China due to its low latitude and high elevation.
My best travel tip: Use Kunming as a base to go on trips to other cute cities like Dali and Lijiang.
The Longhu Mountain area. Image by HelloRF Zcool on Shutterstock.
Dragon Tiger Mountain (Mt Longhu), in the northeast of Jiangxi, is said to be the birthplace of Taoism.
On the other end of the cultural spectrum, the 15th series of American TV show Survivor was filmed just 25 miles (40 km) from the capital.
Cool Xiamen art. Image by cnattorney on Pixabay.
Fujian is a special province located on the country’s southeast coast. It’s culturally and linguistically diverse, and offers plenty of historical and cultural attractions.
The province is famous for its ancient buildings known as Fujian Tulou, a major tourist drawcard. There are plenty of other amazing things to do in Fujian too, like checking out the cultural city of Quanzhou.
Most people arrive in the province via Xiamen or Fuzhou, the capital. There are quite a few things to do in Fuzhou (despite the city not seeing many overseas tourists) like hiking in the mountains and dining on local seafood.
If you love the beach, then head to seaside city Xiamen, known for its cool culture and pedestrian-only Gulangyu Island.
See my Xiamen travel guide as well as the Fuzhou travel guide.
Historic building in Dalian. Image supplied by Mike Cairnduff.
Liaoning’s seaside city Dalian attracts hordes of tourists. And it has a rich history – it was founded by the Russians and you can still find Russian-style architecture lining the streets.
The Terracotta Warriors. Image by janeb13 on Pixabay.
This province is popular with both domestic and foreign tourists alike. I rate the province’s Terracotta Army as one of China’s best places to visit.
The capital, Xi’an, is steeped in history. It has an ancient city wall that you can walk or cycle along.
My best travel tip: The Terracotta Army is always heaving with tourists so I don’t think it really matters what time you visit; just allow plenty of time to check it out.
Guiyang is surrounded by lush forests. Image by lin2015 on Pixabay.
Guizhou is known for its traditional rural villages and minority groups like the Miao and Dong.
Doing away with much of its former heavy industry, capital city Guiyang has made a conscious effort to fuel its economy via tech and big data.
The spectacular Hanging Temple in Shanxi. Image by Took on Pixabay.
The Datong area, in the north of Shanxi, is rich with history. The Yungang Caves and Hanging Temple are highlights.
Ice Festival sculptures in Harbin, Heilongjiang. Image by Erica Li on Unsplash.
Located in the northeast of China, this province has a strong Russian influence. Capital city Harbin embraces the cold by focusing on winter tourism, like the world-renowned Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.
You can see part of the Great Wall of China in Gansu. Image by Matyas Rehak on Shutterstock.
Gansu is one of the least populated and least developed China provinces.
It’s also one of the largest, and stretches a long distance across northwestern China (about 1,000 km or 620 miles). The most intact entrance to the Great Wall can be found here.
My best travel tip: Gansu is famous for the Silk Road and the country’s best archaeological sites. Jumping on a tour is the best way to explore the best of this big province.
Changchun city park, Jilin. Image by Xiao Wei on Shutterstock.
Jilin borders North Korea in the northeast of China, and is a leading automotive manufacturer.
The capital, Changchun, means ‘long spring’ – despite it having a relatively short spring. In fact, Jilin is one of the coldest provinces.
Taipei is stunning at night. Image by Timo Volz on Pixabay.
The island of Taiwan is only 130 km (81 miles) from mainland China at the narrowest point. China claims sovereignty over Taiwan. However, Taiwan sees itself as an independent nation, and there are other differences between the two.
Stunning scenery and national parks are located on the eastern side of Taiwan, while the big cities are on the western side.
My best travel tip: Airfares from your country may be cheaper if you fly to mainland China (return) and then catch a flight to Taiwan while you’re nearby.
Hainan is one of the smallest provinces of China. Image by Pavel Roev on Unsplash.
Fly into Sanya, the country’s popular summer playground. Yalong Bay is regarded as one of Hainan’s best beaches, home to international hotels and resorts.
My best travel tip: The island has special visa-free travel for many tourists, so you can enjoy a trip with less red tape.
A Qinghai Muslim man. Image by James Jiao on Shutterstock.
Qinghai is home to a fusion of different ethnic groups, resulting in an interesting mix of cultures and cuisines. It’s the most sparsely populated yet biggest Chinese province.
You’ve probably heard of Tibet.
But did you know there are four other areas that comprise China’s autonomous regions?
Guangxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia and Xinjiang, as well as Tibet, all have their own local government – just like the provinces do.
However, due to the higher proportion of ethnic minorities in the autonomous regions, they have more legislative rights.
With the exception of Guangxi, which borders Vietnam and the South China Sea, the autonomous regions are located inland. All have a lower standard of living than the provinces dotted along the eastern seaboard.
Longji Rice Terraces near Guilin. Image by Fiona Davies.
Tourist towns Guilin and nearby Yangshuo offer spectacular scenery with mountains and rivers. In particular, there are lots of things to do in Yangshuo like river rafting, biking and other outdoor activities.
Some of the most magnificent rice terraces in the world are also found in Guangxi, including the Longji Rice Terraces which are within reach of Guilin.
Inner Mongolian horsemen. Image by marywenstrom on Pixabay.
Inner Mongolia has an interesting mix of Russian and traditional Mongolian herder cultures. Visit Hohhot’s temples or venture out and enjoy the open space of the grasslands.
A mosque in Xinjiang. Image by Vined on Pixabay.
This diverse region borders eight countries including Russia, Afghanistan and India.
Although ethnic tensions in Xinjiang have escalated in recent years, the region is now deemed safe to travel to. Of all China regions, Xinjiang’s scenery is probably the most Instagrammable.
My best travel tip: A tour is an ideal way to explore this region as all the best parts are so far away from each other and not easily accessible by train.
Camel ride in Ningxia Autonomous Region. Image by Hiki Liu on Unsplash.
Archaeological wonder, the Western Xia Tombs, are the royal mausoleums of the emperors in the Western Xia Dynasty. Built between the 11th and 13th centuries, they’re a stone’s throw from the capital, Yinchuan, in this northern desert region.
And, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Yinchuan.
For instance, the impressive Mount Helan overlooks the city and you can go hiking there or check out the centuries-old rock art. There’s also the whacky Shui Dong Gou paleolithic park.
Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Image by maquake on Pixabay.
Full of harsh and rugged terrain, Tibet has only been open to tourists since the 1980s. The iconic Potala Palace, perched on top of a hill in capital Lhasa, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
My best travel tip: Tibet is the only region in China where you need to apply to get a special permit to get in. But even with the high-altitude sickness, it’s worth it.
There are four direct-controlled municipalities in China – Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin and Chongqing.
They’re basically large, densely populated urban areas which act like provinces. They don’t have a capital city because they already are cities.
Beijing, Shanghai and Tianjin have held municipality status for quite some time, while Chongqing is a relative newcomer to the group. It merged with neighboring cities and was classed as a municipality in the late 1990s.
Chongqing is the largest municipality and the only one located inland.
Fishing on the Yangtze River. Image by Mathieu Vivier on Pixabay.
The grand Yangtze River flows through this mega-city. You can board one of the many river boats and cruise past the famous Three Gorges.
See my Chongqing travel guide.
Dancing at The Bund. Image by Adli Wahid on Unsplash.
Shanghai is a thriving, cosmopolitan metropolis. Walk along The Bund, where there are beautiful European facades, and you’ll see why people call this city the Paris of the East.
Across the Huangpu River is the new area of Shanghai, called Pudong. That’s where you’ll find all the huge glass skyscrapers and business headquarters.
A hot day in Beijing. Image by Mike Cairnduff.
Best enjoyed in fall or spring, Beijing is the home of China’s ultimate sightseeing, all in one place. From the Forbidden City and Summer Palace to the many sections of the Great Wall of China, tourists are spoiled for choice.
My best travel tip: Download Alipay so you can use the city’s subway system or just tap on at the turnstile with your international credit card.
Bridge over the Hai River in Tianjin. Image by Mike Cairnduff.
Just 30 minutes by bullet train to Beijing, this metropolis has some colonial architecture mixed with modern skyscrapers. A section of the Great Wall of China can be accessed from Tianjin too.
Hong Kong and Macau are China’s special administrative regions, or SARs for short.
Historically a British-controlled trading port, Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997. Macau was handed back by the Portuguese in 1999.
While the SARs have different arrangements for things like government, currency and education, the central Chinese government is tightening its grip on the SARs’ autonomy.
Many of the colorful signs in Hong Kong are disappearing. Image by Jason Lam on Pixabay.
A world-leading financial center, Hong Kong acts as a hub between the West and China’s mainland. The anti-government protests in 2020 raised a question mark over the region’s autonomy and civil liberties.
My best travel tip: Catch the public ferry from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon (or vice-versa) and avoid the unnecessary expense of a bay cruise.
See my Hong Kong travel guide.
Ruins of St Paul’s in Macau. Image by Kon Karampelas on Pixabay.
Macau is a short ferry ride from Hong Kong. It’s famous for its casinos, its Portuguese flavor and the Ruins of St Paul’s – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
My best travel tip: There’s no need to stay overnight in Macau unless you’re casino-obsessed. Just take the fast ferry or a bus from HK and return the same day.
With so many differences across each province and region, it’s difficult to generalize when talking about China. But that’s what makes the country so unique.
Whether you’re traveling to China or just learning about it, you’ll find interesting things to discover everywhere.
Next, read about the best places to visit in China. Or, if you’re after something a little quirkier, find out why Chinese people drink hot water.
Population statistics are from Statista. Commercial relationship disclosure: The Helpful Panda has commercial arrangements with organizations that may appear on this page, such as affiliate links. See our terms for more info.
Trip has the best range of hotels across China.
There are 23 provinces in China.
In terms of size, Qinghai is the biggest province. Xinjiang, Tibet and Inner Mongolia are all bigger, but they're classified as autonomous regions (i.e. not Chinese provinces).
Hainan is the smallest. It's an island in south China.
It has provinces, not states. It also has autonomous regions, municipalities and special administrative regions.
All together, there are 34 distinct regions or areas in China, plus Taiwan if you count that.
It's not in a province. It's in its own municipality called Shanghai.
It's not in a province. It's in its own municipality called Beijing.
“I’ve heard some pretty lousy China travel tips over the years. These are all the best ones, from my personal experience.”
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