Beijing Called "Jing" for short, Beijing is located at the northwestern end of the North China Plain. It was established as a municipality in 1928. Covering an area of 16,800 square km, Beijing is now a municipality directly under the Central Government, and has under its jurisdiction 16 districts and two counties. Statistics (provided by public security departments) show that Beijing's permanent residents (referring to those living for more than half a year in Beijing) totaled 15.38 million and its registered permanent residents, 11.807 million at the end of 2005, increasing by 453,000 and 178,000, respectively.

Beijing is China's political, cultural, scientific and educational center as well as a hub of communications. It is also a world-famous tourist destination, with many places of historic interest and scenic spots, including the Palace Museum, the Temple of Heaven, the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, the Summer Palace and the Fragrant Hill.

Shanghai Called "Hu" for short, Shanghai is located at the estuary of the Yangtze River in the middle section of China's eastern coast and became a city in 1927. One of China's four municipalities directly under the Central Government, Shanghai, covering 6,340.5 square km, has under its jurisdiction 18 districts and one county. Its registered permanent residents totaled 13.6026 million, with permanent residents standing at 17.78 million at the end of 2005.

Shanghai is the largest city in China and one of the major metropolises in the world. It is also the country's top industrial city, commercial and financial center, as well as a scientific and technological base.

Tianjin Called "Jin" for short, Tianjin is located in the northeast of the North China Plain, where the five major tributaries of the Haihe River converge and empty into the Bohai Sea. It became a city in 1928. Covering an area of 11,900 square km, Tianjin is now a municipality directly under the Central Government, having 15 districts and three counties under its jurisdiction. Its permanent population was 10.43 million at the end of 2005, including 9.3931 million registered residents.

Tianjin is China's largest industrial city, a major commercial center and a port in north China. Famous scenic spots and historical sites in Tianjin include Ningyuan Park, Tianhougong Temple, Dagukou Batteries, Dule Temple (Monastery of Solitary Happiness) in Jixian County, the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall and Panshan Mountain.

Chongqing Called "Yu" for short, Chongqing is located on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River on the eastern part of southwest China. Chongqing was designated as a municipality directly under the Central Government in 1997. It has under its jurisdiction 15 districts, four county-level cities, 17 counties and four autonomous counties. Covering 82,300 square km, its permanent population stood at 27.98 million, including 12.6595 million urban residents at the end of 2005.

Chongqing is also an industrial city and a tourist destination. Its famous scenic spots include Pipashan and Jinyunshan mountains and the scenic area along the Chuanjiang River.