Loading map...
Loading map...
Turkey
China
Area Comparison
Istanbul is 2.7x larger than Shenzhen
Population Comparison
Istanbul has 1.1x fewer people than Shenzhen
In terms of area, Istanbul is 2.7x the size of Shenzhen. Istanbul spans 5,461 km² (2,109 mi²) while Shenzhen covers 1,997 km² (771 mi²) — a difference of 3,464 km². You could fit Shenzhen inside Istanbul approximately 2 times.
To put Istanbul's size in perspective, its area of 5,461 km² is about 1.2x smaller than Shanghai. Meanwhile, Shenzhen at 1,997 km² is roughly the same size as Tokyo (city proper).
Turkey's largest city, spanning Europe and Asia. Known as "The City on Two Continents", Istanbul covers 5,461 km² with a population of 15.5 million. The city was founded around 660 BC. Istanbul is known for Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Istanbul Metro.
Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents — Europe and Asia
China's tech capital and a major innovation hub. Often called "China's Silicon Valley", Shenzhen has an area of 1,997 km² and is home to 17.6 million people. The city dates back to 1979. Visitors come for Tech industry (Huawei, Tencent, DJI), Shenzhen Bay, Window of the World theme park, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Shenzhen Metro.
Shenzhen grew from a fishing village of 30,000 people to a megacity of 17 million in just 40 years
Looking beyond city limits, the Istanbul metropolitan area covers 5,461 km², which is 2.7x larger than greater Shenzhen at 1,997 km². The Shenzhen metro area is also more populous, with 17.6 million people compared to 15.5 million.
Istanbul has a population density of 2,831 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Shenzhen, with 8,793 people per km², is a densely populated city. Shenzhen is dramatically more crowded, with 3.1x the population density.
This comparison spans continents — Istanbul in Europe versus Shenzhen in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Istanbul has a oceanic climate while Shenzhen experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in Shenzhen, it's 7:00 AM in Istanbul — a 5-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Shenzhen fits inside Istanbul ~2 times
Density Gap
Shenzhen is 3.1x more densely populated
Time Difference
5 hours apart
History
Istanbul is ~2,639 years older
The straight-line distance from Istanbul to Shenzhen is 7,990 km (4,965 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~9h 54m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
Want to explore more? Compare city sizes for any two cities worldwide, or share your location live with friends.