MAP OF POPULATION DENSITY COMPARISON OF CHINA.
This map strikingly illustrates the dramatic imbalance in population density across China, divided by a diagonal called the Heihe-Tengchong Line. This imaginary line, running from Heihe in the northeast to Tengchong in the southwest, neatly splits the nation into two vastly different regions: the densely populated east and the mostly empty west. According to the graphic, 94% of China’s population lives in the eastern half, which lies to the southeast of this dividing line, while only 6% occupy the much larger area to the northwest.
This stark difference is not an accident of history or culture, but rather a reflection of geography, climate, and economic opportunity.
REASON BEHIND THE CONTRAST
The northwestern region, despite making up over half of China’s total land area, is dominated by sparsely inhabited landscapes. Here, vast stretches of land are covered by deserts like the Gobi and the Taklamakan, arid plateaus such as the Tibetan Plateau, and mountain ranges like the Kunlun and the Tianshan. These regions are marked by extreme temperatures, scant precipitation, and thin soils, making agriculture almost impossible outside of a few river valleys and oases. The high elevations, lack of fresh water, and remoteness from major economic centers further compound the difficulties of settlement and development. As a result, only a small fraction of China’s people lives here, with many of them belonging to ethnic minority groups who have adapted to the harsh environment over generations.
In contrast, the land southeast of the Heihe-Tengchong Line is much more hospitable. This area contains fertile river basins such as those of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Pearl Rivers, which have supported intensive agriculture for thousands of years. With a milder climate, richer soils, and more abundant water, these regions were naturally suited for early settlement and population growth. Over centuries, villages grew into towns, and towns became some of the world’s largest cities—Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and countless others.
OTHER REASON
The pull of the east became even stronger in modern times. Since the late 20th century, China’s rapid economic growth has been concentrated in the eastern provinces, especially near the coast. This is where China’s economic miracle took root, as cities like Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou transformed into global centers of manufacturing, trade, finance, and innovation. The government established special economic zones and invested heavily in infrastructure, drawing waves of rural migrants toward the coast in search of work and opportunity.
Proximity to the sea has been a critical factor in this transformation. The eastern provinces opened up to international trade much earlier and more intensely than the inland regions, thanks to natural harbors, navigable rivers, and better access to the global market. Ports like Shanghai and Hong Kong became gateways for exports and imports, fueling the country’s rapid industrialization and urbanization.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately, the Heihe-Tengchong Line on this map is more than a statistical curiosity—it visually encapsulates centuries of Chinese adaptation to geography, climate, and economic change. It explains why the east coast buzzes with economic life while the west retains vast stretches of emptiness, serving as a powerful reminder that where people live is always closely tied to the land’s capacity to support them and the opportunities it offers.
