Regions of China

China is a country with a huge impact on the world therefore it generates great interest from the world’s population. In 2019 China generated over 145.3 million visitors. However, the number of international visitor arrivals dropped substantially to 27.5 million in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Regardless, 27.5 million visitors and climbing speaks volume about the importance of this country. That’s why understanding the structure and complexity of its different regions will be helpful to you in navigating your travels or business negotiations in China.

So let’s start first with some simple key facts: China is divided into 6 distinct regions that are commonly referenced by the national bureau and other official sources to describe the country’s economy, climate, geography, governance, and administrations.

Surprisingly the climate of China has huge variances from the North to South. North China is famous for its cold winters and iconic attractions like the Great Wall of China along with many other historical sites. Meanwhile, South Central China has contrasting temperatures and the allure of hot summers, tropical weather, thriving tech centers and beautiful breathtaking beaches.

These diverse regions each offer unique sights, landscapes, business opportunities and climates that attract tourists and business travellers from all corners of the globe.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each of China’s regions in greater depth.

Here’s an overview of the different Provinces, Autonomous Regions, Municipalities, and Special Administrative Regions of China:
Regions of China map with colors outlining the different regions
A map that outlines the 6 different regions of China in different colours for easier reference.