Qilian Population 2026
Qilian has a population of 25,603, making it the #1705 biggest city in 🇨🇳 China, located in Qinghai. It is about 972× smaller than Shanghai, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
25,603
Rank in China
#1705
Coordinates
38.18°N, 100.24°E
~2,758 m elevation · Asia/Shanghai
Distance to capital (Beijing)
1,406 km
873 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Qinghai
Cities near Qilian
- Zhangye507,433 people · ~86 km away
- Qingshizui28,561 people · ~131 km away
- Haomen36,515 people · ~151 km away
- Quankou18,308 people · ~161 km away
- Dongchuan17,982 people · ~167 km away
- Ehen Hudag16,798 people · ~169 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Qilian?
Qilian has a population of 25,603 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #1705 biggest city in China.
What region is Qilian in?
Qilian is located in Qinghai, China.
Is Qilian the capital of China?
No, the capital of China is Beijing, about 1,406 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.