China's earliest cities evolved in the 15th century BC under the Shang dynasty. Cities were long important to the ceremonial (administrative and quasi-religious) functions and material support of the Chinese court and also were important marketplaces. In the 20th century, and especially since the 1950s, Chinese cities have gained great importance as industrially productive centers. The cities have, however, retained a ceremonial significance under the Communist government.

According to 1991 estimates, China has 40 cities with populations exceeding 1 million. China's largest cities include Shanghai (population, 1993 estimate, 9,480,000), the country's largest city and a major port; Beijing (7,000,000), the capital and cultural center of China; Tianjin (5,770,000), a port city at the juncture of the Hai River and the Grand Canal; Shenyang (4,540,000); Wuhan (3,750,000), a port city at the confluence of the Han and Yangtze rivers, and Guangzhou (3,580,000), a port city on the Zhu Jiang (Pearl River). All of these cities have developed large industrial bases.