November 14, 2025, 3:39 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
With an area of 82,200 square kilometers and a population of 32 million people, it is the largest city in the world. Yet, although it is twice the size of Switzerland, it is hardly known here. TRAVELBOOK introduces the megacity.
The largest city in the world is located in China, and no, it is not Shanghai or Beijing, but Chongqing. Measured by its administrative city limits, it covers a gigantic area of 82,200 square kilometers, making it almost exactly twice the size of Switzerland.
How Chongqing Became the Largest City in the World
The metropolis in southwestern China stretches along the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Its impressive expansion resulted from the separation of the eastern part of Sichuan Province and the integration of the surrounding large region. Therefore, the city extends over a vast area with a total of 38 districts and counties. As a municipality directly under the central government, it is a provincial-level administrative unit under the direct control of the central government of the People’s Republic of China.
With an area of 82,000 square kilometers, Chongqing is indeed the largest city in the world. However, if you only consider the “core city,” Tokyo, Shanghai, and Mexico City still top the list of the world’s largest cities. According to a report by ZDF, nearly 11 million people live in the dense center of Chongqing. That’s three times as many as in Berlin. In total, about 32 million residents live in Chongqing, making it one of the largest cities in the world in terms of population as well. Although Chongqing is already a popular travel destination in China, the mega-metropolis seems to be less known here.
Also interesting: This train runs right through a residential building
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This is Chongqing
Chongqing is considered a model city in China, supported by the government with billions of dollars. Although the city’s history dates back thousands of years, no building there is said to be older than 30 years. The Chinese metropolis is currently regarded as one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, with an annual increase of about 500,000 people.
The rapid growth is also evident in some parts of the cityscape. For example, there is a train that runs through a building because there was no more space on the ground when it was built. According to an ARD report, residents find this especially convenient as they can go directly from their apartment to the train. Although it is the largest city in the world by area, Chongqing struggles with limited space in its center. Skyscrapers, sky bridges, and train tracks running through buildings make it possible to use the available space optimally.
In addition to modern skyscrapers, the cityscape is also shaped by the Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia, which flows through Chongqing and meets the Jialing River there. Another characteristic feature of Chongqing is its numerous staircases. Built on very hilly terrain, the streets are marked by their sometimes steep inclines. Therefore, Chongqing, which averages 243 meters above sea level, is also called the “City of Mountains.”
Visitors can discover a lot in Chongqing, including rock sculptures from the 7th century and a 1,166-meter-long cable car.
Location of Chongqing in China
