BEIJING, Aug. 15 (Xinhua) -- Besides Beijing, the capital of China, several other cities are co-hosting the 2008 Olympics: Hong Kong, Qingdao, Tianjin, Shengyang, Shanghai and Qinhuangdao.

    Here are some facts about these and other major cities in China.

    BEIJING: The political and cultural center of the country, with an area of 16,410 square kilometers and a population of 11.6 million.

    SHANGHAI: The largest city in China and a center of science, technology and commerce. It has an area of 6,340.5 sq km and a population of 13.68 million.

    HONG KONG: The first Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China, Hong Kong is a shopping center and transport hub with a well-developed film and TV industry. It has a population of 6.92 million and covers 1,104 sq km.

    MACAO: The city became China's second SAR on Dec. 20, 1999. Macao is known for its gaming and racing industries. It has a population of 436,800 and covers 25.8 sq km.

    SHENYANG: The capital of Liaoning Province, with a population of 4.96 million and an area of 13,000 sq km.

    QINGHUANGDAO: Situated near a section of the Beijing-Shenyang Railway Line in northeastern Hebei Province, it is one of north China's ice-free natural harbors. It covers 7,812 sq km where 2.75 million people live and work.

    SHENZHEN: A coastal city neighboring Hong Kong, it emerged as a major metropolis after the introduction of the reform and opening-up policy. it has a population of 10 million and covers 1,952.84 sq km.

    CHANGCHUN: Located northeast of Beijing, it is the capital of Jilin Province and a center for vehicle production and film work. It has a population of 3.15 million and an area of 20,604 sq km.

    LHASA: Known as the city of the sun, it's on a plateau more than 3,658 meters above sea level surrounded by towering mountains. It has a population of 622,316 and an area of 29,518 sq km.

    KUNMING: Known as the "City of Eternal Spring," it lies at the heart of the southwest Yunnan Plateau, 1,895 meters above sea level. Its population totals 4.5 million and it covers 15,561 sq km.

    SANYA: At the southern tip of Hainan Island in southern China, it hosted the 57th Miss World Pageant last year. It has a population of 536,000 and an area of 5,000 sq km.

    HARBIN: Capital of northeast Heilongjiang Province, it is a transport hub, with 9.7 million people and an area of 53,068 sq km.

    TIANJIN: The municipality is a major commercial and industrial center as well as the biggest port in north China. Its population is 10.75 million and its area is 11,760 sq km.

    URUMQI: Urumqi, meaning "fine pasture," is situated in the northern foothills of the snow-capped Tianshan Mountains. It is the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a population of 2.08 million and an area of 12,000 sq km.

    CHENGDU: Capital of southwest Sichuan Province, the city has been an economic and cultural center since 400 BC. It covers 12,400 sq km and has 10.24 million people.

    CHONGQING: In 1997, the city become China's fourth municipality, independent from Sichuan Province and under the direct control of the central government. It can be best described as southwest China's commercial center. It covers 82,400 sq km and has 31.07 million people.

    GUANGZHOU: Once known as Canton, the metropolis has a population of 7.5 million and covers an area of 7,434 sq km. It has long been a major port and commercial gateway to southern China. Its nickname is the "City of Five Rams," which denotes never-ending prosperity.

    QINGDAO: It is a city of picturesque red-tiled roofs nestled between green hills and blue sea, lying on the south coast of the Shandong Penisula, and also an industrial city and a major foreign trade port. It has a population of 7.49 million and covers 10,654 sq km.

    NANJING: The capital of east Jiangsu Province, the city is rich in history and culture, having been the capital during six dynasties. Its population is 5.95 million and its area is 6,597 sq km.

    HANGZHOU: As the capital of the eastern Zhejiang Province, the city was described by Marco Polo as "without doubt the finest and most splendid city in the world." It has a population of 6.12 million and covers 16,596 sq km. The famous West Lake lies at the heart of the city.

    XI'AN: The capital of west Shaanxi Province, the city boasts a history of 3,100 years and was the capital of 13 ancient dynasties. It has a population of 6.68 million and covers 9,983 sq km.