County-Level Cities

County-level city is one of the administrative divisions in China, which belongs to the same administrative divisions as municipal districts, counties, autonomous counties, banners, autonomous banners, forest districts and special zones. Because its administrative status is the same as that of the county, it is called “county-level city”. Yunnan has 16 county-level cities in total.

1. Anning City in Kunming

Anning City has 9 subdistrict offices, 4 village committees, 347 village groups, 34 community residents committees and 152 residents groups. It is 28 km away from Kunming urban area, which is most famous for Anning Hot Springs.

2. Xuanwei City in Qujing

Xuanwei city includes 8 districts, 20 towns, 331 village committees and 25 neighborhood committees. It enjoys the reputation of “entering the first pass in Yunnan” and “the hometown of ham”.

3. Tengchong City in Baoshan

Tengchong is the important gateway for China to South Asia and Southeast Asia. Tengchong city covers 11 towns and 7 townships.  It is well known for its jade and geothermal energy.

4. Shuifu City in Zhaotong

There are 3 towns and 1 subdistrict in Shuifu city of Zhaotong. The most famous attractions in Shuifu is West Grand Canyon Hot Spring. It is the backbone of Chinese hydropower station to transfer the electricity from west to east.

5. Chuxiong City in Chuxiong

Chuxiong city has jurisdiction over 12 towns, 3 townships, 152 village (residential) committees, 2834 village (residential) groups. It is the political, economic, cultural and transportation center of Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture.

6. Gejiu City in Honghe

Gejiu city is China’s largest tin production base, known as “China’s Tin Capital”. It has jurisdiction over 1 subdistric, 7 towns, 2 townships. It is 280 kilometers away from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan, 200 kilometers from Vietnam. 

7. Kaiyuan City in Honghe

Kaiyuan city has jurisdiction over 2 subdistricts, 2 towns, 2 townships and 1 ethnic town. It is the traffic fortress and central city in southeast Yunnan. Kaiyuan is rich in coal resources and has the largest open-pit coal mine in Yunnan Province.

8. Mengzi City in Honghe

Mengzi city has jurisdiction over 7 towns, 2 townships and 2 ethnic towns. It is also the capital of Honghe autonomous prefecture and the core area of south Yunnan central city. It is one of the earliest 24 ancient counties in Yunnan province.

9. Mile City in Honghe

Mile city is the “North Gate” of Honghe prefecture. It is the hometown of highland grape, with a famous Chinese wine brand “Yunnan Red”. administers 10 towns and 2 townships. 

10. Wenshan City in Wenshan

Wenshan city is the capital seat of Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. Wenshan is a producer of ‘Sanchi’, a plant with medicinal properties. Wenshan City has three sub-district offices, seven towns and seven townships (including five ethnic townships).

11. Jinghong City in Xishuangbanna

Jinghong is the prefectural city of Xishuangbanna, bordering Myanmar in the south. It boasts subtropical monsoon climate and high forest coverage rate. Jinghong city has jurisdiction over 1 subdistrict, 5 towns, 5 townships, 16 neighborhood committees and 81 village committees.

12. Dali City in Dali

Dali city is the capital seat of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. There are 10 towns and 1 Nationality Township under the jurisdiction of Dali City. It is renowned for her beautiful natural scenery, historical heritage, and well-preserved Bai minority culture.

13. Mangshi City in Dehong

Mangshi is the capital city of Dehong Prefecture and is an important window for culture exchange between China and Burma. It governs 1 street office, 5 towns, 5 townships, 1 ethnic township. Hinayana Buddhism is the major religion in Mangshi.

14. Ruili City in Dehong

Ruili, known as “Natural Forest Park” and “Kingdom of Animals and Plants”, is one of the towns where those centenarians live. It has 3 towns and 3 townships.

15. Lushui City in Nujiang

Lushui city, the capital of Nujang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, is an essential part of world natural heritage, ‘Three Parallel Rivers’. Lushui City has jurisdiction over 5 towns, 2 townships and 2 ethnic townships.

16. Shangri-La City in Diqing

Shangri-La city is the capital city of Diqing prefecture. There are abundant natural sceneries and human landscapes. It has jurisdiction over 4 towns and 7 townships (including 1 ethnic township), with a total of 6 communities and 58 administrative villages.

More about Cities in Yunnan.

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