4. Guangzhou

Population: 14.49 million

Area: 7,434 square kilometers

A major trading port along the maritime Silk Road since the sixth century, Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, has been one of the richest cities in China for centuries. In 2018, its GDP reached 2.3 trillion yuan, ranking just behind Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen. 

A 2018 report jointly released by the UN and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences named Guangzhou as China's most livable city. The city continues to attract migrants because of its affordable housing and competitiveness, as well as world-renowned Cantonese cuisine, rich cultural life and natural attractions.