Highest-Altitude Cities in the World
Nagqu is among the highest cities in the world, sitting about 4,512 m above sea level.
| # | City | Country | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nagqu | - | 4,512 m |
| 2 | Yanacancha | - | 4,348 m |
| 3 | Cerro de Pasco | - | 4,336 m |
| 4 | Dêqên | - | 3,974 m |
| 5 | Potosí | - | 3,967 m |
| 6 | Huanuni | - | 3,963 m |
| 7 | Oruro | - | 3,936 m |
| 8 | Yauri | - | 3,911 m |
| 9 | Ayaviri | - | 3,898 m |
| 10 | Viacha | - | 3,870 m |
| 11 | Yunguyo | - | 3,857 m |
| 12 | Laja | - | 3,856 m |
| 13 | Rikaze | - | 3,847 m |
| 14 | Ilave | - | 3,841 m |
| 15 | Juliaca | - | 3,834 m |
| 16 | Puno | - | 3,825 m |
| 17 | La Paz | - | 3,782 m |
| 18 | La Oroya | - | 3,765 m |
| 19 | Daocheng | - | 3,753 m |
| 20 | Llallagua | - | 3,750 m |
| 21 | Huancavelica | - | 3,704 m |
| 22 | Kupwāra | - | 3,681 m |
| 23 | Achocalla | - | 3,664 m |
| 24 | Lhasa | - | 3,651 m |
| 25 | Padam | - | 3,560 m |
| 26 | Sicuani | - | 3,551 m |
| 27 | Leh | - | 3,502 m |
| 28 | Nima | - | 3,480 m |
| 29 | Villazón | - | 3,455 m |
| 30 | Chaupimarca | - | 3,446 m |
| 31 | La Quiaca | - | 3,408 m |
| 32 | Jauja | - | 3,380 m |
| 33 | Cusco | - | 3,369 m |
| 34 | Wanchaq | - | 3,358 m |
| 35 | Huamachuco | - | 3,341 m |
| 36 | Shangri-La | - | 3,283 m |
| 37 | Huancayo | - | 3,263 m |
| 38 | Chilca | - | 3,245 m |
| 39 | Qamdo | - | 3,235 m |
| 40 | Nefas Mewch’a | - | 3,082 m |
| 41 | Mehal Mēda | - | 3,080 m |
| 42 | Dongchuan | - | 3,067 m |
| 43 | Huaraz | - | 3,059 m |
| 44 | Tarma | - | 3,055 m |
| 45 | Túquerres | - | 3,048 m |
| 46 | Centenario | - | 3,039 m |
| 47 | Kyelang | - | 3,038 m |
| 48 | Mangnai Zhen | - | 3,000 m |
| 49 | Shangpa | - | 2,984 m |
| 50 | Huatugou | - | 2,976 m |
| 51 | Pupiales | - | 2,974 m |
| 52 | Amba Giorgis | - | 2,966 m |
| 53 | Tulcán | - | 2,962 m |
| 54 | Tupiza | - | 2,961 m |
| 55 | Pujilí | - | 2,944 m |
| 56 | Qingshizui | - | 2,940 m |
| 57 | San Lorenzo Acopilco | - | 2,935 m |
| 58 | Machachi | - | 2,933 m |
| 59 | Labuleng | - | 2,926 m |
| 60 | Ipiales | - | 2,904 m |
| 61 | Andahuaylas | - | 2,902 m |
| 62 | Hezuo | - | 2,898 m |
| 63 | San Miguel Ajusco | - | 2,896 m |
| 64 | Filakit | - | 2,880 m |
| 65 | Haomen | - | 2,865 m |
| 66 | Bosconia | - | 2,860 m |
| 67 | Quito | - | 2,854 m |
| 68 | Debark’ | - | 2,854 m |
| 69 | Sheno | - | 2,850 m |
| 70 | Santiago Tlacotepec | - | 2,833 m |
| 71 | Debre Birhan | - | 2,830 m |
| 72 | Kangding | - | 2,826 m |
| 73 | Bek’ojī | - | 2,817 m |
| 74 | Cayambe | - | 2,814 m |
| 75 | Quankou | - | 2,807 m |
| 76 | San Antonio Acahualco | - | 2,806 m |
| 77 | Tunja | - | 2,804 m |
| 78 | Sabt Alalayah | - | 2,800 m |
| 79 | Villa de San Diego de Ubaté | - | 2,800 m |
| 80 | Sucre | - | 2,798 m |
| 81 | Fichē | - | 2,792 m |
| 82 | Xalatlaco | - | 2,770 m |
| 83 | Latacunga | - | 2,769 m |
| 84 | San Francisco Tlalcilalcalpan | - | 2,769 m |
| 85 | Lintan Chengguanzhen | - | 2,762 m |
| 86 | Riobamba | - | 2,758 m |
| 87 | Qilian | - | 2,758 m |
| 88 | San Salvador Cuauhtenco | - | 2,756 m |
| 89 | Zinacantepec | - | 2,754 m |
| 90 | Las Nazarenas | - | 2,753 m |
| 91 | Ayacucho | - | 2,743 m |
| 92 | Ch’ench’a | - | 2,739 m |
| 93 | Lushar | - | 2,738 m |
| 94 | Punata | - | 2,731 m |
| 95 | San Pablo Oztotepec | - | 2,729 m |
| 96 | Huixquilucan | - | 2,712 m |
| 97 | Sacaba | - | 2,710 m |
| 98 | Upper Gilgil | - | 2,710 m |
| 99 | Idaga Hamus | - | 2,702 m |
| 100 | Cajamarca | - | 2,700 m |
About this ranking
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
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.