Provinces Autonomous regions Sub-provincial autonomous prefectures Autonomous prefectures Leagues (Aimag) (abolishing) Prefectures Provincial-controlled cities Provincial-controlled counties Autonomous counties County-level cities DistrictsEthnic districts Banners (Hoxu)Autonomous banners Shennongjia Forestry District Liuzhi Special District Wolong Special Administrative Region Workers and peasants districts Ethnic townships Towns Subdistricts Subdistrict bureaux Sum Ethnic sum County-controlled districts County-controlled district bureaux (obsolete) Management committees Town-level city Areas Villages · Gaqa · Ranches Village Committees Communities Capital cities New areas Autonomous administrative divisions National central cities History: before 1912, 1912–49, 1949–present Provinces (Chinese: 省; pinyin: Shěng) are the most numerous type of province-level divisions in the People's Republic of China (PRC).

[1][2][3] The first provinces were created in the Yuan dynasty, and have remained one of the most stable forms of Chinese government since then.

[5] The number of provinces grew steadily during subsequent dynasties, reaching 28 by the time of the Republic of China.

[6] During the Warlord Era, provinces became largely or completely autonomous and exercised significant national influence.

This division ensures that economic strength is distributed, preventing any single region from potentially overpowering the state.