| | Network hierarchy | Number of cities | Network centrality | Average of network centrality potential | Cities |
| | Strong core | 1 | 255 | 255 | Beijing | | Core | 17 | 54–140 | 77 | Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Tianjin, Xian, Jinan, Chongqing, Chengdu, Changsha, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenyang, Qingdao, and Changchun | | Strong semiperiphery | 30 | 23–52 | 34 | Hefei, Wuxi, Dalian, Dongguan, Ningbo, Kunming, Xiamen, Lanzhou, Foshan, Taiyuan, Changzhou, Nanchang, Xuzhou, Yantai, Guiyang, Nanning, Zhenjiang, Urumqi, Nantong, Yinchuan, Fuzhou, Zhuhai, Yangzhou, Luoyang, Taizhou (Jiangsu), Yichang, Yancheng, Shijiazhuang, Haerbin, and Lianyungang | | Weak semiperiphery | 75 | 9–22 | 13 | Yueyang, Beihai, Jinmen, Jian, Kaifeng, Yichun, Zhongwei, Huizhou, Jiangmen, Chuanzhou, Anyang, Qinhuangdao, Chifeng, Jiaozuo, Huainan, Fuxin, Dezhou, Jilin, Luan, Huaibei, Suqian, Huangshan, Tongling, Bengbu, Changde, Zhaoqing, Langfang, Qingyuan, Shantou, Sanya, Guilin, Liuzhou, Shizuishan, Hengyang, Shaoguan, Huzhou, Heyuan, Zhangzhou, Zhongshan, Zhuzhou, Anqing, Tongliao, Handan, Weifang, Weihai, Taian, Chuzhou, Jiujiang, Mianyang, Jinhua, Zibo, Lishui, Zhoushan, Quzhou, Wenzhou, Taizhou (Zhejiang), Xiangtan, Wuhu, Jining, Shaoxing, Jiaxing, Zhanjiang, Haikou, Xuchang, Xining, Pingdingshan, Maanshan, Changzhi, Dongying, Huaian, Tangshan, Zhangjiakou, Baoding, and Anshan | | Periphery | 163 | 1–8 | 4 | Remaining 163 cities |
|
|
