Articles > Geography
Ready to try the Asia Largest Cities quiz, or maybe the more challenging Asia City Grid and Asia Coverage Quiz variations? You’ll need to know these. Here are the 10 largest Asian cities.
1. Shanghai – Population: 21,909,814
Shanghai, located on China’s central coast, is the largest city in Asia by population. Known for its modern skyline dominated by the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai is a global financial center with a rich history of international trade and commerce. The Bund, a famous waterfront area, offers stunning views of the city’s impressive architecture blending historical and modern buildings.
Interesting Fact:
Shanghai has one of the longest metro systems in the world, covering over 795 kilometers.
2. Beijing – Population: 18,960,744
Beijing, China’s capital, is renowned for its historic sites, including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Great Wall of China nearby. As a political, cultural, and educational hub, Beijing also hosts many of China’s premier universities and research institutions.
Interesting Fact:
The Forbidden City in Beijing has over 9,000 rooms and is the largest palace complex in the world.
3. Karachi – Population: 18,868,021
Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and an economic powerhouse, with a bustling port and thriving industries. This cosmopolitan city is famous for its vibrant culture, diverse communities, and historical landmarks, such as the Quaid-e-Azam Mausoleum, which honors the founder of Pakistan.
Interesting Fact:
Karachi’s port handles around 60% of Pakistan’s cargo, making it a critical economic artery for the nation.
4. Shenzhen – Population: 17,444,609
Shenzhen, located near Hong Kong, is known as a high-tech hub and a major city for electronics manufacturing. Transformed from a small fishing village into a mega-city in a few decades, Shenzhen is a symbol of China’s rapid urbanization and economic growth.
Interesting Fact:
Shenzhen was China’s first Special Economic Zone, a designation that spurred its rapid development and success.
5. Guangzhou – Population: 16,096,724
Guangzhou, known as Canton, is a major trade and transportation center in southern China. The city is famous for hosting the Canton Fair, China’s largest and oldest trade fair. With a rich cultural heritage, Guangzhou also offers numerous temples, parks, and museums.
Interesting Fact:
The Canton Tower in Guangzhou is one of the tallest structures in the world, standing at over 600 meters.
6. Istanbul – Population: 15,244,936
Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city, uniquely spans two continents—Europe and Asia—divided by the Bosphorus Strait. As a former capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, Istanbul is steeped in history, with iconic sites such as Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, and the Grand Bazaar.
Interesting Fact:
Istanbul is the only major city in the world located on two continents.
7. Chengdu – Population: 13,568,357
Chengdu, in Sichuan Province, is celebrated for its spicy cuisine and is the home of the beloved giant panda. The city is a major economic and cultural center in western China, with a vibrant teahouse culture and a thriving tech industry.
Interesting Fact:
Chengdu has one of the largest panda breeding centers in the world, dedicated to conserving this endangered species.
8. Lahore – Population: 13,004,135
Lahore is Pakistan’s cultural capital, known for its rich history, beautiful Mughal architecture, and vibrant arts scene. The city is home to iconic sites such as the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, and Shalimar Gardens.
Interesting Fact:
Lahore’s Badshahi Mosque, built in the 17th century, was once the largest mosque in the world.
9. Mumbai – Population: 12,442,373
Mumbai, India’s financial hub, is a bustling metropolis known for Bollywood, its historic Gateway of India, and diverse cultural heritage. With a blend of colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers, the city is an iconic symbol of India’s economic growth and multiculturalism.
Interesting Fact:
Mumbai is home to India’s largest slum, Dharavi, which spans over 2 square kilometers and is a unique hub of small-scale industries.
10. Tianjin – Population: 11,052,404
Tianjin, located near Beijing, is one of China’s major port cities and has a distinctive blend of Western and Eastern architecture due to its history as a foreign concession area. Known for its traditional Chinese culture and rapid modernization, Tianjin is a vital economic center in northern China.
Interesting Fact:
The city’s Eye of Tianjin Ferris wheel is the only one in the world built on a bridge.
