China Provinces & Regions — Discover the Provinces Beyond the Map
In China, we say “上有天堂，下有苏杭Shàng yǒu tiāntáng, xià yǒu sū háng” — heaven above, Suzhou and Hangzhou below. But China is more than the famous cities. It’s spicy hotpot shared in Chengdu alleys, fishermen singing in Guangxi, and tea farmers watching mist rise in Fujian. This is our China: vast, noisy, gentle, and endlessly curious.
From the misty mountains of Sichuan to the rice terraces of Yunnan, every province has its own rhythm — its own way of greeting the sun, seasoning a meal, or telling a story. Come wander with us through all provinces of China, where the real China still lives in every bowl of noodles, every morning market, and every smile you meet.
In Alphabetical Order
China’s Provinces & Regions
Anhui
(安徽)
Home to the stunning Yellow Mountains (Huangshan), which look like a traditional ink painting. It’s also famous for its beautiful, ancient black-and-white villages.
Beijing (北京)
The capital! This is a “must-see.” It’s a massive city where 3,000 years of history (Forbidden City, Great Wall) meets modern China in a way that will blow your mind.
Chongqing
(重庆)
A wild “cyberpunk” city built on mountains. Famous for its mind-bending subways that go through buildings and its incredibly spicy, numbing hot pot.
Fujian
(福建)
A coastal province with a strong tea culture (this is the home of Oolong!) and a history of sea trade. Its coastal city Xiamen is beautiful, relaxed, and very popular.
Gansu
(甘肃)
This is the heart of the ancient Silk Road. It’s a long, narrow province of desert landscapes, Buddhist art in the Dunhuang caves, and amazing beef noodles.
Guangdong
(广东)
The economic engine of China, right next to Hong Kong. This is the home of Cantonese cuisine—think dim sum, roast goose, and sweet desserts!
Guangxi (广西)
This is where you find the dream-like scenery from the back of the ¥20 note. The karst mountains and Li River in Guilin and Yangshuo are unbelievably beautiful.
Guizhou (贵州)
A hidden gem of misty mountains, rice terraces, and amazing ethnic minority cultures. It’s also home to China’s most famous (and strong!) liquor, Moutai.
Hainan (海南)
China’s tropical paradise, often called the “Chinese Hawaii.” It’s an island full of sandy beaches, coconut trees, surfing, and luxury resorts.
Hebei
(河北)
The province that surrounds Beijing like a donut. It’s an industrial heartland but also has parts of the Great Wall and the old imperial summer resort in Chengde.
Heilongjiang
(黑龙江)
China’s “frozen north,” bordering Russia. In winter, its capital Harbin hosts the world-famous Ice Festival, building entire cities from giant blocks of ice.
Henan
(河南)
The “cradle of Chinese civilization.” This is where it all began, along the Yellow River. It’s home to the legendary Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Kung Fu.
Hong Kong
(香港)
A hyper-dense, electric city of skyscrapers and mountains. A unique “East-meets-West” culture with amazing food, shopping, and an unforgettable skyline.
Hubei
(湖北)
The “Land of a Thousand Lakes.” Its capital, Wuhan, is a massive city at the crossroads of China. It’s also home to the giant, world-famous Three Gorges Dam.
Hunan
(湖南)
Chairman Mao’s home province and a land of seriously spicy (and delicious) food. It’s also where you’ll find the Avatar-like pillar mountains of Zhangjiajie.
Inner Mongolia
(内蒙古)
A vast land of endless grasslands, deserts, and the legacy of Genghis Khan. You can ride horses, sleep in a yurt (ger), and see a totally different side of China.
Jiangsu (江苏)
A rich and beautiful “water province” near Shanghai. Famous for the classical gardens of Suzhou (the “Venice of the East”) and the historic city of Nanjing.
Jiangxi (江西)
A province of “red” revolutionary history. It’s also home to Jingdezhen, the “Porcelain Capital” of the world for over 1,000 years.
Jilin
(吉林)
A northeastern province bordering North Korea. It’s known for its cold winters, cornfields, and the beautiful, frosty “rime ice” that covers the trees.
Liaoning (辽宁)
A heavy-industry province in the “Dongbei” (Northeast) region. It has a gritty, post-industrial charm and is famous for its friendly people and great BBQ.
Macau
(澳门)
The “Las Vegas of the East,” but with more soul. A fascinating blend of Portuguese and Chinese culture, famous for its grand casinos and delicious egg tarts.
Ningxia (宁夏)
A small, dry autonomous region on the upper Yellow River. It’s the heart of China’s Muslim Hui people and, surprisingly, the country’s best wine-making area.
Qinghai (青海)
A vast, high-altitude province on the Tibetan plateau. It’s home to the stunning, bright blue Qinghai Lake (China’s largest) and a rugged, wild beauty.
Shaanxi (陕西)
Not Shanxi! This is the home of the Terracotta Army in its capital, Xi’an. It’s an ancient heartland of China, with a massive city wall and amazing noodles.
Shandong
(山东)
The birthplace of Confucius. A coastal province famous for its sacred Mount Tai, its strong beer (Tsingtao!), and its straightforward, friendly people.
Shanghai (上海)
The futuristic face of modern China. A dazzling city of skyscrapers, high fashion, art, and business, with a historic Bund and cozy old lanes.
Shanxi
(山西)
Not Shaanxi! This northern province is famous for its ancient temples (like the Yungang Grottoes) and for being China’s “coal capital.” They love to eat vinegar.
Sichuan (四川)
Our home! And in our opinion, the best province! This is the Land of Abundance, home to the Giant Panda, spicy hot pot, and the most delicious food in China!
Taiwan (台湾)
A beautiful island known for its friendly people, amazing street food (night markets!), high-tech cities, and lush mountains.
Tianjin
(天津)
A major port city near Beijing with a unique history. You can see many old European-style buildings. It’s also famous for its local-style comedy, or “crosstalk.”
Tibet
(西藏)
The “Roof of the World.” A high-altitude land of devout Buddhism, stunning Himalayan scenery, and the magnificent Potala Palace. A truly spiritual and unforgettable place.
Xinjiang (新疆)
China’s largest region, in the far west. A land of deserts, high mountains, and Silk Road history. Home to the Uyghur people and amazing kebabs, bread, and fruit.
Yunnan (云南)
China’s most ethnically diverse province, bordering Southeast Asia. Famous for its beautiful old towns (Lijiang, Dali), rice terraces, and “spring-like” weather all year.
Zhejiang (浙江)
A rich, entrepreneurial coastal province near Shanghai. Home to the beautiful West Lake in Hangzhou (from many poems and paintings) and the world’s largest wholesale market in Yiwu.