CHINA TIER CITIES

Since the 1980's, The Chinese Central government has ranked cities in China, to facilitate the staged rollout of infrastructure and urban development throughout the country.

According to what criteria is a Chinese city classified at a specific Tier level?

1. GDP - All first tier cities have a GDP over $US300 billion. The second tier includes cities with GDP between US$68 billion and US$299 billion.

2. Politics - The Tier 1 cities are directly controlled by the central government. The second tier consists of provincial capital cities and sub-provincial capital cities.

3. Population - Tier 1 cities have more than 15 million people. The second tier includes cities of three to 15 million people.

Which are the Tier 1 cities?

Beijing
Shanghai
Guangzhou
Shenzhen

Large densely populated urban metropolises with huge economic, cultural and political influence in China. Tier 1 cities attract great attention from foreign enterprises due to income levels much higher than the national average, and larger middle class representation and increasing consumption habits. Cities that fall within this category represent China’s most developed markets in terms of consumer behavior.

Which are the Tier 2 cities?

Beihai
Changchun
Changsha
Chengdu
Chongqing
Dalian
Fuzhou
Guiyang
Haikou
Hangzhou
Harbin
Hefei
Huhhot
Jinan
Kunming
Lanzhou
Nanchang
Nanjing
Nanning
Ningbo
Qingdao
Sanya
Shenyang
Shijiazhuang
Suzhou
Taiyuan
Tianjin
Urumqi
Wenzhou
Wuhan
Wuxi
Xiamen
Xi'an
Yinchuan
Zhengzhou

These are generally made up of Provincial capitals, sub-provincial cities, SEZs, and other more developed cities with cultural and economic influence. Over the past decade, Tier 2 cities have received increased attention and investment from foreign companies due to lower labor costs, less competition, lower operating costs for retailers, and rapidly increasing consumer spending habits.

Which are the Tier 3 cities?

Beihai
Changzhou
Dongguan
Foshan
Guilin
Huizhou
Jiangmen
Jiaxing
Jinhua
Lianyungang
Nantong
Qinhuangdao
Quanzhou
Shaoxing
Shijiazhuang
Taizhou
Tangshan
Wiehai
Wenzhou
Xining
Xuzhou
Yantai
Yinchuan
Zhangjiang
Zhenjiang
Zhongshan
Zibo

These are generally made up by open coastal cities, high income cities, and cities with significant economic development.

Which are the Tier 4 cities?
(See an example and selection of Tier 4 cities below. Note, this is not a complete list.)

Anshan
Baotou
Chaozhou
Daqing
Datong
Fushun
Handan
Huzhou
Jilin
Liuzhou
Luoyang
Qiqihar
Weifang
Wuhu
Yangzhou
Zhangzhou
Zhoushan
Zhuzhou

Which are the Tier 5 cities?
(See an example and selection of Tier 5 cities below. Note, this is not a complete list.)

Leshan
Lijiang
Mianyang
Nanping
Putian
Rizhao
Taian
Taizhou
Xiangfan
Xiangyang
Yan’an
Yichang
Yueyang
Zhaoqing


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