Jiangsu Administrative Divisions

Jiangsu Province (江苏省) is located on China’s central-eastern coast, across the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and Huai River. It borders the Yellow Sea to the east, Shandong Province to the north, Anhui Province to the west, and Shanghai Municipality and Zhejiang Province to the southeast. Covering approximately 107,200 square kilometres, Jiangsu combines river deltas, canal plains, freshwater lakes, coastal wetlands and a highly urbanized section of the Yangtze River Delta.

Jiangsu’s administrative and tourism geography is inseparable from its waterways. The Yangtze River crosses southern Jiangsu, the Grand Canal runs through the province from north to south, Taihu Lake shapes the landscape of Suzhou and Wuxi, Hongze Lake influences western Huai’an and Suqian, and the Yellow Sea coastline forms the ecological foundation of Yancheng, Nantong and Lianyungang.

The provincial tourism system is officially organized around the Grand Canal cultural corridor, the coastal ecological corridor, the Yangtze urban leisure belt, the eastern land-bridge cultural belt, the Taihu Lake ecological and cultural region, and the Hongze Lake ecological and cultural region. These areas connect classical gardens, water towns, historic cities, wetlands, coastal landscapes, archaeological sites, industrial heritage and modern leisure attractions.

Administrative Structure of Jiangsu Province

As of December 31, 2025, Jiangsu administered 13 prefecture-level cities and 95 county-level divisions, including 55 municipal districts, 21 county-level cities and 19 counties. Below the county level were 1,237 township-level divisions, consisting of 519 subdistricts, 701 towns, 16 ordinary townships and one ethnic township.

The 13 prefecture-level cities are:

• Nanjing (南京市)
• Wuxi (无锡市)
• Xuzhou (徐州市)
• Changzhou (常州市)
• Suzhou (苏州市)
• Nantong (南通市)
• Lianyungang (连云港市)
• Huai’an (淮安市)
• Yancheng (盐城市)
• Yangzhou (扬州市)
• Zhenjiang (镇江市)
• Taizhou (泰州市)
• Suqian (宿迁市)

Kunshan City (昆山市), Taixing City (泰兴市) and Shuyang County (沭阳县) are provincial direct-management pilot county-level units. They remain administratively associated with Suzhou, Taizhou and Suqian respectively while receiving expanded provincial administrative authority.

Jiangsu’s Three Main Administrative and Tourism Regions

Southern Jiangsu

Southern Jiangsu comprises Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Changzhou, Wuxi and Suzhou. It is the most urbanized part of the province and the core area of the traditional Jiangnan cultural landscape.

Tourism resources include ancient capitals, classical gardens, historic canals, Taihu Lake scenery, Buddhist and Taoist heritage, water towns, silk, embroidery, ceramics, industrial heritage and modern theme parks. Nanjing functions as the main historical and cultural gateway, while Suzhou and Wuxi form the center of classical Jiangnan and Taihu Lake tourism.

Central Jiangsu

Central Jiangsu consists of Yangzhou, Taizhou and Nantong. It lies between the Yangtze River, the Huai River system, the Lixiahe wetlands and the Yellow Sea.

The region is particularly associated with the Grand Canal, salt-merchant culture, Huaiyang cuisine, wetland settlements, raised-field agriculture, river-sea commerce and the development of modern Chinese industry. Yangzhou is the principal cultural destination, Taizhou represents Lixiahe water-country traditions, and Nantong connects Yangtze River culture with the sea.

Northern Jiangsu

Northern Jiangsu includes Xuzhou, Lianyungang, Suqian, Huai’an and Yancheng. Its cultural geography differs markedly from the classical Jiangnan landscape of southern Jiangsu.

Xuzhou preserves Chu–Han and Han Dynasty history, Huai’an and Suqian are shaped by the Grand Canal and Hongze Lake, Lianyungang combines mountains with the Yellow Sea, and Yancheng protects internationally important coastal wetlands. The region also contains Journey to the West traditions, revolutionary heritage, salt culture, liquor-producing towns and extensive rural landscapes.

Nanjing Municipality

Nanjing (南京市) is the provincial capital and administers 11 municipal districts. It has no county-level cities or counties. Its administrative territory stretches from the historic center and the Yangtze riverfront to suburban mountains, lakes, ancient villages and rural districts.

Nanjing’s tourism identity is built around its history as a capital of several Chinese dynasties and governments. The central districts preserve Six Dynasties heritage, Ming Dynasty city walls, Republican-era architecture, museums, universities and the Qinhuai River cultural landscape. Xuanwu and Qinhuai contain many of the city’s best-known historic resources, while Jianye represents the modern riverside city.

The eastern districts of Qixia and Jiangning contain sacred mountains, temples, imperial tomb landscapes and countryside resorts. Pukou and Luhe extend across the northern side of the Yangtze River, while Lishui and Gaochun offer wetlands, historic villages, slow-travel routes and agricultural tourism. Nanjing is designated as Jiangsu’s principal tourism-hub city in provincial tourism planning.

Wuxi Municipality

Wuxi (无锡市) administers five municipal districts and the county-level cities of Jiangyin and Yixing. Its tourism landscape extends from central Wuxi and the northern Grand Canal to Taihu Lake, the Yangtze River and the hills of southern Yixing.

Binhu District contains much of Wuxi’s Taihu Lake scenery, including lakeside parks, resort areas and the Lingshan Buddhist cultural region. Liangxi District preserves the historic city, Qingming Bridge and the Grand Canal, while Huishan combines ancestral halls, old streets and mountain culture.

Yixing is known for purple-clay pottery, tea plantations, bamboo forests, caves and rural art communities. Jiangyin developed along the Yangtze River and combines fortress history, port culture, historic villages and modern industrial heritage. Wuxi is one of the province’s designated key tourism cities.

Xuzhou Municipality

Xuzhou (徐州市) administers five municipal districts, two county-level cities and three counties. Located at the meeting point of Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan and Anhui, it is the main transportation and cultural center of northern Jiangsu.

Xuzhou is one of China’s most important destinations for Chu–Han and Han Dynasty culture. Its heritage includes royal tombs, stone reliefs, terracotta figures, underground burial complexes and traditions associated with Liu Bang and the founding of the Han Dynasty.

The central districts combine museums, historical sites and Yunlong Lake. Pizhou and Xinyi contain ancient settlements, wetland scenery and rural heritage, while Feng County, Pei County and Suining preserve imperial legends, traditional villages and northern Jiangsu agricultural culture. Xuzhou also serves as the eastern center of Jiangsu’s land-bridge and Silk Road cultural tourism belt.

Changzhou Municipality

Changzhou (常州市) administers five municipal districts and Liyang City. Its tourism system combines ancient regional history, family attractions, industrial culture, lakes, forests and hot-spring resorts.

The central city is known for the China Dinosaur Park and related family entertainment, while Wujin District contains the archaeological and cultural landscape of Yancheng, associated with the Spring and Autumn period. Jintan and Xinbei add countryside, industrial and canal-related tourism resources.

Liyang is the center of the Tianmu Lake resort region, where lake scenery, bamboo forests, hot springs, countryside accommodation and wellness tourism form the principal attractions. Changzhou is well suited to family holidays and short trips from Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou and Wuxi.

Suzhou Municipality

Suzhou (苏州市) administers five municipal districts and four county-level cities. It is the center of classical Jiangnan culture and one of China’s most internationally recognized cultural destinations.

Gusu District preserves the historic city, classical gardens, canals, old streets and traditional neighborhoods. Huqiu, Wuzhong and Xiangcheng extend toward hills, lakes and historic towns, while Wujiang District includes major water-town environments such as Tongli.

Kunshan contains Zhouzhuang and other canal settlements, Changshu combines Yushan Mountain, Shanghu Lake and literary heritage, Taicang reflects Yangtze River and maritime culture, and Zhangjiagang combines riverfront development with ancient regional history.

Suzhou’s principal cultural resources include UNESCO-listed classical gardens, Grand Canal heritage, Kunqu Opera, Suzhou embroidery, silk, traditional architecture and water-town life. The Taihu Lake tourism region centered on Suzhou and Wuxi is promoted as an international showcase of Jiangnan culture.

Nantong Municipality

Nantong (南通市) administers three municipal districts, three county-level cities and one county. It lies where the Yangtze River approaches the Yellow Sea and has a strong identity based on river-sea culture, modern industry and coastal ecology.

Chongchuan District contains the historic city, the Hao River, museums and many sites associated with the industrialist and educator Zhang Jian. Tongzhou and Haimen connect the urban area with textile traditions, agricultural landscapes and the Yangtze estuary.

Qidong occupies the river-sea meeting area, Rugao is known for longevity culture, historic gardens and bonsai, Hai’an preserves regional archaeology and textile culture, and Rudong contains coastline, fishing communities and ecological resources.

Nantong’s tourism value lies in the combination of modern Chinese industrial history, Yangtze River scenery, maritime landscapes, museums and countryside tourism.

Lianyungang Municipality

Lianyungang (连云港市) administers three municipal districts and three counties. It is Jiangsu’s principal mountain-and-sea destination and the eastern starting point of the New Eurasian Land Bridge.

Haizhou District preserves the old city and historical commercial areas, while Lianyun District contains the port, Liandao Island and coastal landscapes. Ganyu extends northward along the Yellow Sea and contains fishing communities, wetlands and coastal countryside.

Huaguoshan is closely connected with the cultural traditions of Journey to the West. Donghai County is known for crystal products and hot springs, while Guanyun and Guannan preserve wetlands, rivers, rural communities and historic transport routes.

Provincial tourism planning places Lianyungang within both the Yellow Sea coastal ecological corridor and the eastern land-bridge cultural tourism belt.

Huai’an Municipality

Huai’an (淮安市) administers four municipal districts and three counties. It developed at the intersection of the Grand Canal, the Huai River system and the former Yellow River channels.

Huai’an District preserves the old city and cultural sites associated with Wu Cheng’en and Journey to the West. Qingjiangpu developed as a canal and commercial center, while Huaiyin has strong connections with Han Xin and regional military history.

Hongze District and Jinhu County are closely related to lakes, wetlands and fishing culture. Xuyi is known for hills, archaeological resources and crayfish cuisine, while Lianshui contains historic settlements and countryside tourism.

Huai’an is one of the principal nodes of Jiangsu’s Grand Canal heritage corridor and an important destination for canal history, Huaiyang cuisine and modern revolutionary heritage.

Yancheng Municipality

Yancheng (盐城市) administers three municipal districts, one county-level city and five counties. It has Jiangsu’s largest administrative territory and contains the province’s most extensive coastal wetlands.

The municipality’s central tourism resource is the Yellow Sea wetland ecosystem, which supports migratory birds, red-crowned cranes and large coastal conservation areas. Dafeng is associated with milu deer conservation, while Dongtai contains coastal forests, historic towns and salt-related heritage.

Sheyang, Binhai, Xiangshui and Funing extend along the coast and river systems, while Jianhu and Yandu contain lakes, water-country settlements, Huai Opera and rural cultural landscapes.

The Yellow Sea wetlands form Jiangsu’s world-class coastal ecological tourism corridor and are one of the main natural-heritage foundations of the “Water-Rhythm Jiangsu” tourism brand.

Yangzhou Municipality

Yangzhou (扬州市) administers three municipal districts, two county-level cities and one county. It is one of the most important historical cities along the Grand Canal and a major center of classical gardens, salt-merchant culture and Huaiyang cuisine.

Guangling District contains the historic city, canals, old streets and traditional commercial districts. Hanjiang includes Slender West Lake and several classical garden landscapes, while Jiangdu connects Yangzhou with the Yangtze River and canal countryside.

Gaoyou preserves Grand Canal heritage, ancient postal culture and lake landscapes. Yizheng combines Yangtze scenery, archaeological resources and tea-growing hills, while Baoying is characterized by lakes, lotus culture and rural waterways.

The China Grand Canal Museum and Yangzhou’s historic canal environment make the city one of the best bases for understanding the development of water transportation, urban commerce and everyday life along the Grand Canal.

Zhenjiang Municipality

Zhenjiang (镇江市) administers three municipal districts and three county-level cities. Its geographical importance comes from its location near the meeting point of the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal.

Jingkou and Runzhou contain the historic riverfront and the cultural hills of Jinshan, Jiaoshan and Beigushan. Dantu extends into rural areas surrounding the central city and preserves ancient villages, temples and agricultural landscapes.

Jurong includes Maoshan Taoist culture and countryside resorts, Danyang has a long history of commerce and manufacturing, and Yangzhong is situated on islands within the Yangtze River.

Zhenjiang’s tourism character combines river scenery, Buddhist and Taoist heritage, Three Kingdoms legends, Grand Canal culture and food traditions represented by Zhenjiang aromatic vinegar.

Taizhou Municipality

Taizhou (泰州市) administers three municipal districts and three county-level cities. Its tourism landscape is shaped by the Yangtze River, Lixiahe wetlands, canal towns and raised agricultural fields.

Hailing District contains the historic urban core, while Gaogang connects the city with Yangtze River transport. Jiangyan is associated with Qin Lake and the traditional Qintong Boat Festival.

Xinghua is known for raised-field landscapes, rapeseed flowers, water forests and wetland villages. Jingjiang developed along the Yangtze River and has strong shipbuilding and food traditions, while Taixing combines river commerce, revolutionary history and traditional towns.

Taizhou is best suited to travelers interested in slow-paced water-country experiences, wetland ecology, local opera, festivals and rural food culture.

Suqian Municipality

Suqian (宿迁市) administers two municipal districts and three counties. It lies between Hongze Lake, Luoma Lake, the Grand Canal and the former Yellow River.

The central city is associated with Xiang Yu, the ruler of Western Chu, and preserves archaeological, historical and cultural resources connected with Chu–Han history. The municipality is also one of Jiangsu’s major liquor-producing regions.

Sihong County contains extensive Hongze Lake wetlands, Siyang is associated with canal and poplar landscapes, and Shuyang is known for flowers, horticulture, rural industries and traditional communities.

Suqian forms part of the Hongze Lake ecological and cultural tourism region and the eastern land-bridge tourism belt. Its principal themes are lakes, wetlands, liquor culture, rural tourism and Chu–Han history.

Main Tourism Regions Based on Administrative Divisions

Complete County-Level Administrative Division Table

The following table lists all 95 county-level administrative divisions under Jiangsu’s 13 prefecture-level cities. The asterisk identifies provincial direct-management pilot units. The official list and classifications are current to December 31, 2025.

County-Level Administrative Totals

Complete Township-Level Administrative Structure

Jiangsu’s 95 county-level divisions contain 1,237 township-level administrative units. The total consists of 519 subdistricts, 701 towns, 16 ordinary townships and one ethnic township. The ethnic township is Lingtang Hui Ethnic Township (菱塘回族乡) in Gaoyou City under Yangzhou.

The accompanying administrative workbook contains every township-level unit with its official Chinese name, nine-digit administrative code, administrative type, prefecture-level parent and county-level parent. Separate worksheets are provided for all 13 prefecture-level cities, making it possible to filter the register by city, county, district, county-level city, subdistrict, town or township.