China zip codes explained

Does China have zip codes?

Yes. Mainland China has used a nationwide 6-digit postal code system since 1980. Every residential, commercial, or government location is mapped to a code maintained by China Post.

China Post requires the 6-digit postcode on mailing labels to route mail and parcels to the correct processing center, distribution branch, and delivery route. Leaving it out often causes delays.

Need a specific code right now? Use the China postal code finder to drill down by province → city → district or jump to a city landing page for curated tables.

China postal code format

Chinese postal codes contain six digits. Each pair of digits provides a deeper geographic resolution:

1. First two digits: Province or municipality (e.g., 10 for Beijing, 20 for Shanghai, 51 for Guangdong).
2. Middle two digits: Prefecture-level city or urban district.
3. Last two digits: Delivery route or sub-district, pointing to individual postal branches.

Leading zeros never appear in China’s system. Codes are numeric only—no letters or separators.

Examples of China postal codes

Here are some frequently used combinations that visitors search for:

• 100000 — general Beijing city code; districts such as Chaoyang (100020) and Haidian (100080) narrow it down further.
• 200000 — Shanghai municipality; specific districts like Pudong (200120) or Jing’an (200040) apply to different neighborhoods.
• 510000 — Guangdong province macro code; Guangzhou districts range from 510030 (Yuexiu) to 511400 (Panyu).
• 518000 — Shenzhen city range with district-specific variants such as Futian 518048 or Nanshan 518054.

For cities beyond the examples above, browse the A–Z city index or the Guangdong province hub.

How to find a China zip code by address

Use the online finder

1. Head to the China postal code finder.
2. Select the province or municipality (e.g., Guangdong, Beijing, Shanghai).
3. Choose the city and district; the 6-digit code appears instantly with a copy button.
4. Optional: Type a landmark in the address keyword box (e.g., “Lujiazui” or “Sanlitun”) to auto-select the right district.

Confirm with China Post

For high-value shipments, double-check the code using official China Post or courier tools. They reflect newly split districts or renamed sub-districts faster than third-party directories.

Postal code vs zip code in China

“Postal code” and “zip code” are used interchangeably in China. “Zip code” is borrowed from the US USPS term but is widely recognized by logistics teams and online forms. Always supply the full six digits—shortened codes (e.g., 1000) are invalid.

Need more help? Contact support via hello@postcode.blog with the address you are trying to validate.