Prefectural level (2nd)[edit]

Main article: Prefectures of China

For a more comprehensive list, see List of prefectures in China.

Map of China's prefectural level divisions

Prefectural level divisions or second-level divisions are the second level of the
administrative structure. Most provinces are divided into only prefecture-level cities and
contain no other second level administrative units. Of the 22 provinces and 5 autonomous
regions, only 3 provinces (Yunnan, Guizhou, Qinghai) and 1 autonomous region (Xinjiang)
have more than three second-level or prefectural-level divisions that are not prefecture-
level cities. As of June 2020, there were 339 prefectural level divisions:

7 Prefectures (地区; dìqū): formerly the dominant second level division, thus this

administrative level is often called "prefectural level". They were mostly replaced
by prefecture-level cities from 1983 to the 1990s. Today, prefectures exist only
in Heilongjiang, Tibet and Xinjiang.

30 Autonomous prefectures (自治州; zìzhìzhōu): prefectures with one or more

designated ethnic minorities, mostly in China's western regions.

299 prefecture-level cities (地级市; dìjíshì): the largest number of prefectural-level

divisions, generally composed of an urban center and surrounding rural areas much larger
than the urban core and thus not "cities" but municipalities in the strict sense of the term

3 Leagues (盟; méng): effectively the same as prefectures, but found only in Inner

Mongolia. Like prefectures, leagues have mostly been replaced with prefecture-level
cities. The unique name is a holdover from earlier forms of administration in Mongolia.

show

 Prefectural-level divisions of China

County level (3rd)[edit]

Main article: Counties of China
For a more comprehensive list, see List of counties in China.
Map of China's county-level divisions

As of August 18, 2015, there were 2,852 county-level divisions:

1,408 Counties (县; xiàn): the most common county-level divisions, continuously in

existence since the Warring States period, much earlier than any other level of
government in China. Xian is often translated as "district" or "prefecture".

117 Autonomous counties (自治县; zìzhìxiàn): counties with one or more

designated ethnic minorities, analogous to autonomous regions and prefectures

360 County-level cities (县级市; xiànjíshì): similar to prefecture-level cities, covering both

urban and rural areas. It was popular for counties to become county-level cities in the
1990s, though this has since been halted.

913 Districts (市辖区 / 区; shìxiáqū / qū): formerly the subdivisions of urban areas,

consisting of built-up areas only. Recently many counties have become districts, so that
districts are now often just like counties, with towns, villages, and farmland.

49 Banners (旗; qí): the same as counties except in the name, a holdover from earlier
forms of administration in Mongolia

3 Autonomous banners (自治旗; zìzhìqí): the same as autonomous counties except in

the name, a holdover from earlier forms of administration in Mongolia

1 Forestry area (林区; línqū): a special county-level forestry district located

in Hubei province

1 Special district (特区; tèqū): a special county-level division located in Guizhou province

Township level (4th)[edit]

Main article: Townships of China
Township-level (4th) subdivisions[edit]
13,749 Townships (乡; xiāng): in smaller rural areas division they are divided into this
subject

1,098 Ethnic townships (民族乡; mínzúxiāng): small rural areas divisions designated for

one or more ethnic minorities are divided into this subject

19,322 Towns (镇; zhèn): in larger rural areas division they are divided into this subject

6,686 Subdistricts (街道 / 街; jiēdào / jiē): in a small urban areas division they are divided
into this subject

2 County-controlled districts (县辖区; xiànxiáqū) are a vestigial level of government.

These once represented an extra level of government between the county- and township
levels. Today there are very few of these remaining and they are gradually being phased
out.

181 Sum (苏木; sūmù) are the same as townships, but are unique to Inner