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Highest-Altitude Cities in the World

Nagqu is among the highest cities in the world, sitting about 4,512 m above sea level.

Recalculated daily. Last updated 4 juin 2026.

# Ville Pays Elevation
🥇 Nagqu China 4,512 m
🥈 Yanacancha Peru 4,348 m
🥉 Cerro de Pasco Peru 4,336 m
4 Dêqên China 3,974 m
5 Potosí Bolivia 3,967 m
6 Huanuni Bolivia 3,963 m
7 Oruro Bolivia 3,936 m
8 Yauri Peru 3,911 m
9 Ayaviri Peru 3,898 m
10 Viacha Bolivia 3,870 m
11 Yunguyo Peru 3,857 m
12 Laja Bolivia 3,856 m
13 Rikaze China 3,847 m
14 Ilave Peru 3,841 m
15 Juliaca Peru 3,834 m
16 Puno Peru 3,825 m
17 La Paz Bolivia 3,782 m
18 La Oroya Peru 3,765 m
19 Daocheng China 3,753 m
20 Llallagua Bolivia 3,750 m
21 Huancavelica Peru 3,704 m
22 Kupwāra India 3,681 m
23 Achocalla Bolivia 3,664 m
24 Lhasa China 3,651 m
25 Padam India 3,560 m
26 Sicuani Peru 3,551 m
27 Leh India 3,502 m
28 Nima China 3,480 m
29 Villazón Bolivia 3,455 m
30 Chaupimarca Peru 3,446 m
31 La Quiaca Argentina 3,408 m
32 Jauja Peru 3,380 m
33 Cusco Peru 3,369 m
34 Wanchaq Peru 3,358 m
35 Huamachuco Peru 3,341 m
36 Shangri-La China 3,283 m
37 Huancayo Peru 3,263 m
38 Chilca Peru 3,245 m
39 Qamdo China 3,235 m
40 Nefas Mewch’a Ethiopia 3,082 m
41 Mehal Mēda Ethiopia 3,080 m
42 Dongchuan China 3,067 m
43 Huaraz Peru 3,059 m
44 Tarma Peru 3,055 m
45 Túquerres Colombia 3,048 m
46 Centenario Peru 3,039 m
47 Kyelang India 3,038 m
48 Mangnai Zhen China 3,000 m
49 Shangpa China 2,984 m
50 Huatugou China 2,976 m
51 Pupiales Colombia 2,974 m
52 Amba Giorgis Ethiopia 2,966 m
53 Tulcán Ecuador 2,962 m
54 Tupiza Bolivia 2,961 m
55 Pujilí Ecuador 2,944 m
56 Qingshizui China 2,940 m
57 San Lorenzo Acopilco Mexico 2,935 m
58 Machachi Ecuador 2,933 m
59 Labuleng China 2,926 m
60 Ipiales Colombia 2,904 m
61 Andahuaylas Peru 2,902 m
62 Hezuo China 2,898 m
63 San Miguel Ajusco Mexico 2,896 m
64 Filakit Ethiopia 2,880 m
65 Haomen China 2,865 m
66 Bosconia Colombia 2,860 m
67 Quito Ecuador 2,854 m
68 Debark’ Ethiopia 2,854 m
69 Sheno Ethiopia 2,850 m
70 Santiago Tlacotepec Mexico 2,833 m
71 Debre Birhan Ethiopia 2,830 m
72 Kangding China 2,826 m
73 Bek’ojī Ethiopia 2,817 m
74 Cayambe Ecuador 2,814 m
75 Quankou China 2,807 m
76 San Antonio Acahualco Mexico 2,806 m
77 Tunja Colombia 2,804 m
78 Sabt Alalayah Saudi Arabia 2,800 m
79 Villa de San Diego de Ubaté Colombia 2,800 m
80 Sucre Bolivia 2,798 m
81 Fichē Ethiopia 2,792 m
82 Xalatlaco Mexico 2,770 m
83 Latacunga Ecuador 2,769 m
84 San Francisco Tlalcilalcalpan Mexico 2,769 m
85 Lintan Chengguanzhen China 2,762 m
86 Riobamba Ecuador 2,758 m
87 Qilian China 2,758 m
88 San Salvador Cuauhtenco Mexico 2,756 m
89 Zinacantepec Mexico 2,754 m
90 Las Nazarenas Peru 2,753 m
91 Ayacucho Peru 2,743 m
92 Ch’ench’a Ethiopia 2,739 m
93 Lushar China 2,738 m
94 Punata Bolivia 2,731 m
95 San Pablo Oztotepec Mexico 2,729 m
96 Huixquilucan Mexico 2,712 m
97 Sacaba Bolivia 2,710 m
98 Upper Gilgil Kenya 2,710 m
99 Idaga Hamus Ethiopia 2,702 m
100 Cajamarca Peru 2,700 m

What Makes These the Highest Cities on Earth?

The world's highest cities sit in great mountain ranges, the Andes of South America and the Tibetan Plateau of Asia. Life at altitude means thinner air, lower oxygen, stronger sunlight and cooler temperatures, and residents are physiologically adapted to conditions that leave many visitors short of breath. Elevations here are drawn from geographic data for each city.

Altitude shapes everything from how water boils to how sport is played, which is why some high cities are famous for the advantage they give home teams. The highest major city on this list is Nagqu, at roughly 4,512 m above sea level.

Frequently Asked Questions: Highest-Altitude Cities in the World

What is the highest city in the world?
Among sizeable cities, Nagqu ranks at the top of this list at about 4,512 m above sea level. Several small mining towns in the Andes sit even higher.
Why are the highest cities in South America and Asia?
Because the largest high-altitude plateaus and mountain ranges that can support cities, the Andes and the Tibetan Plateau, are there.
Is it hard to live at high altitude?
The air holds less oxygen, so newcomers can feel breathless or get altitude sickness, but long-term residents adapt with higher red-blood-cell counts and other changes.

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