1. Shanghai

Population: 24.24 million

Area: 6,340 square kilometers

Fast-paced and cosmopolitan, Shanghai is a magnet for people from across China and overseas. Its GDP of over 3.2 trillion yuan (about 466 billion U.S. dollars), makes it the richest city in China, and its average wage of those in urban non-private units reached 140,400 yuan in 2018.

Besides its financial prowess, the city blends both modern and traditional as well as Chinese and Western influences. Shanghai appeals to migrants because of its energetic, inclusive, international and futuristic elements, as well as an abundance of restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, shopping centers and leisure activities.