Cyberpunk China: Futuristic Cities Beyond Shanghai and Chongqing

Everyone knows that cities like Shanghai and Chongqing are synonymous with cyberpunk aesthetics, with their towering neon-lit skylines and futuristic architecture. But beyond these well known megacities, China is home to other urban landscapes that feel just as striking, places where modern design, technology hubs, and bold lighting schemes come together to create a truly sci-fi atmosphere. Shall we take a look?

Guangzhou

Guangzhou, one of China’s oldest cities, has grown from a historic Pearl River trade hub into a metropolis defined by daring architecture and illuminated skylines. Towering buildings with dynamic light displays dominate the night, while innovative urban design projects continue to reshape its image.

Guangzhou view at night, straight out of a sci-fi movie landscape

As a central player in the Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou blends tradition with a forward-looking aesthetic, creating cityscapes that feel almost cinematic. It's vibrant atmosphere makes it a natural fit for cyberpunk-inspired photography and storytelling.

Zhujiang New Town

Canton Tower: Twisting LED-covered landmark with a surreal night glow.

Shenzen

Once a humble fishing village, Shenzhen transformed into a global tech powerhouse in just a few decades, symbolizing China’s rapid urbanization. Located just north of Hong Kong, it was designated as the country’s first Special Economic Zone in 1980, which fueled its explosive growth and futuristic skyline.

Today, it’s home to tech giants like Huawei and Tencent, cutting-edge architecture, and sprawling districts that glow with LED lights at night. Shenzhen’s mix of relentless innovation and vertical urbanism gives it a distinctly cyberpunk atmosphere.

Ping An Finance Center: 599m tall tower illuminated at night

Left: Futian CBD: Neon signs and illuminated skyscrapers - Right: Kingkey 100: Skyscaper with LED lightning.

Hangzhou

Famous for its ancient temples and scenic West Lake, Hangzhou has reinvented itself as one of China’s most advanced centers for technology and innovation. The city is home to Alibaba’s global headquarters and several innovation districts, making it a symbol of China’s digital economy. Its skyline features sleek towers and futuristic complexes like the Hangzhou International Expo Center, contrasting sharply with its historic neighborhoods.

This mix of tradition and hypermodern development gives Hangzhou a unique identity, where serene landscapes meet the energy of a high-tech future.

Left: Qianjiang New Town - Right: Hangzhou International Expo Center

The Qianjiang New Town Light Show in Hangzhou transforms the skyline into a living canvas of color and motion, with synchronized lights dancing across towering skyscrapers. This dazzling display highlights the city’s tech-driven identity and futuristic charm, making it a must-see for urban photography lovers:

Qianjiang New Town Light Show

Chengdu

Known for its relaxed lifestyle and cultural heritage, Chengdu has rapidly transformed into a leading city for science and advanced urban development in western China. Massive projects like the New Century Global Center, one of the largest buildings in the world, and the futuristic Tianfu International Airport reflect the city’s bold vision of urban design.

New districts, such as Tianfu New Area, feature experimental architecture and sprawling high-tech zones that give Chengdu a distinctly sci-fi atmosphere. This contrast between ancient traditions and cutting-edge infrastructure creates a cyberpunk setting unlike anywhere else in China.

Chengdu Twin Towers by @Nickkuratnik

Left: Chengdu Tianfu International Airport - Right: New Century Global Center

Nanjing

As one of China’s most historic capitals, Nanjing carries centuries of cultural significance, yet in recent years it has embraced bold, futuristic architecture. Its skyline is dominated by skyscrapers like Zifeng Tower and the Greenland Financial Center, both symbols of the city’s growing global influence.

Beyond its towering landmarks, Nanjing invests heavily in modern urban design and creative spaces, such as International Youth Culture Centre. The blend of ancient city walls and advanced structures creates a unique atmosphere where history and a high-tech future coexist, making it a fascinating setting for cyberpunk enthusiasts.

The International Youth Culture Centre in Nanjing looks like a massive starship preparing for liftoff, with beams of light piercing the night sky.

Left: Zifeng Tower - Middle: TSMC's Nanjing facility - Right: Nanjing Zendai Himalayas Center

Suzhou

Suzhou is often celebrated for its classical gardens and canals, but its modern skyline tells a very different story. The iconic Gate of the Orient, a massive skyscraper shaped like a colossal doorway, has become a symbol of the city’s leap into contemporary architecture. It's bold design dominates the skyline and reflects Suzhou’s ambitions to blend cultural heritage with a futuristic outlook.

Gate of the Orient

Nearby, the Suzhou Center Mall adds another layer to the city’s modern identity with its vast interior spaces, dynamic lighting, and sleek design, making it a hotspot for urban exploration. Together, these landmarks show a striking contrast between the ancient beauty Suzhou is known for and its rapidly evolving high-tech image, giving the city a cyberpunk edge.

Suzhou Center Mall

China’s cyberpunk aesthetic extends far beyond its most famous megacities, revealing futuristic skylines and bold architecture in unexpected places. From Chengdu’s sprawling innovation districts to Suzhou’s towering Gate of the Orient, each city blends history, technology, and design in its own way. These landscapes feel like scenes from a sci-fi film, proving that the cyberpunk future is already here and it’s spread across the nation.