Sub-prefecture-level city - Definition and Overview

A sub-prefecture-level city (副地級市), or vice-prefecture-level city, is an administrative division of China. These cities are officially considered to be county-level cities, but are given more powers, though still less than prefecture-level cities.

While county-level cities belong to prefecture-level divisions, sub-prefecture-levels are often administered directly by the province, with no intervening prefecture level.

Examples of sub-prefecture-level cities include Jiyuan (Henan province), Xiantao, Qianjiang and Tianmen (Hubei), Golmud (Qinghai), Shihanza, Tumushuk, Alar, and Wujiaqu (Xinjiang).