Towns & Cities

Modern Cities

If the old towns show where China came from, its metropolises show where it's going — and the speed of the trip. Four city-futures below, each a different answer to the same century.

Shanghai THE STANDARD-SETTER

The Bund's stone century facing Lujiazui's glass one — plus plane-tree lanes, museum fleets and the mag-lev exit at 430 km/h.

Full guide →

Shenzhen THE FORTY-YEAR CITY

Fishing county to twelve million people in one generation: hardware bazaars, drone shows and the metro-map growth-rings of the world's fastest urbanisation.

Full guide →

Chongqing THE 8D MOUNTAIN METROPOLIS

Trains through buildings, streets on rooftops, golden cliff-pavilions — terrain as co-architect of thirty million lives.

Full guide →

Hong Kong SAR VERTICAL MASTERCLASS

The world's densest skyline threaded by mid-levels escalators, Star Ferry crossings and peak tram angles — an urbanism course in one harbour.

City guide coming soon

The observer's toolkit HOW TO READ A MEGACITY

Ride the metro end to end; find the observation deck at sunset and the free rival viewpoint after; museums are free and world-class; breakfast streets tell more truth than CBDs.

Full guide coming soon
Traveller’s notes

Prices, opening hours, transport and policy details can change at any time — always verify with official sources before you travel. China Travel Co is an independent travel guide with no affiliation to, or endorsement from, any government body.

Night EconomyAncient TownsShanghaiChongqing