Learn all about Houston’s 19 sister cities across the globe
From China and South Korea to Mexico and Ecuador, Houston has 19 sister cities worldwide. Learn all about each one.
Sister Cities International was founded in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to foster connections between communities in countries throughout the world. Houston forged its first sister city relationship in 1961 and now has a total of 19 sister cities in countries as far away as China, Pakistan, and Iraq.
At first glance, Houston may not appear to have much in common with its sister cities, but there are more similarities between the communities than many realize. Houston—the energy capital of the world—plays a crucial role in the global oil and gas industry, and many of its sister cities are also major oil and gas hubs. Additionally, most of the cities are port cities, just like Houston.
Keep reading to discover more about all 19 of Houston’s sister cities.
Taipei, Taiwan
Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, was the first city to establish a sister city relationship with Houston in 1961. As the capital, Taipei is the cultural, political, and economic center of Taiwan. The metropolis is full of contrast—you’ll find modern skyscrapers and traditional temples, world-class restaurants and night markets serving street food, bustling shopping centers and relaxing hot springs.
In 1978, Taipei gifted Houston an ornate pavilion, called Friendship Pavilion, which can be found at McGovern Centennial Gardens.
Sister city relationship established: 1961
Distance from Houston: 7,924 miles
Population: 2,502,093
Huelva, Spain
Huelva, located on Spain’s Iberian Peninsula, was the second city to form a sister city relationship with Houston in 1969. This port city—the capital of the province by the same name—offers a mix of history and culture. The province is known as the place from which Christopher Columbus sailed to America in 1492.
In 2024, plans were announced to develop Europe’s largest green methanol plant in Huelva.
Sister city relationship established: 1969
Distance from Houston: 4,928 miles
Population: 143,526
Chiba, Japan
Chiba, Japan, situated less than 40 miles from Tokyo on Tokyo Bay, offers a wealth of attractions for both visitors and residents. However, it’s best known as the home of Japan’s two Disney parks and the country’s main international airport, Narita International Airport. Chiba, the capital of the prefecture of the same name, is also home to Olympic surfing venues, historic villages, outlet shopping centers, and museums.
The Houston+Chiba Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Program was formed in 1982, about a decade after the two established their sister city relationship. As part of the program, middle school students from Houston can travel to Chiba to attend school and live with a host family for two weeks.
Sister city relationship established: 1972
Distance from Houston: 6,654 miles
Population: 974,951
Nice, France
Nice, France—a coastal city, just like Houston—is located along the French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur, in southeast France. It’s a wildly popular destination for sun seekers and celebrities thanks to its warm weather, beautiful beaches, charming architecture, and vibrant nightlife.
Promenade des Anglais, a seaside promenade, Place Masséna, the main city square, and Colline du Château, a hill that boasts excellent views of Nice, are some of the city’s top attractions. Nice receives about five million visitors per year, and tourism plays a major role in the city’s economy.
Sister city relationship established: 1973
Distance from Houston: 5,395 miles
Population: 353,701
Baku, Azerbaijan
Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital and largest city, is the world’s lowest-lying national capital, located about 92 feet below sea level. The city, situated on the Caspian Sea, is renowned for its Walled City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to the Shirvanshah’s Palace and the Maiden Tower. Baku is steeped in history, but it’s also a commercial hub with modern architecture, shopping malls, and museums.
The University of Houston and ADA University in Baku have a cultural exchange program that allows students from Houston to study in Baku and vice versa. Additionally, more than 180 Houston-based businesses report doing business with Azerbaijan.
Sister city relationship established: 1976
Distance from Houston: 7,097 miles
Population: 2,496,500
Grampian Region, Aberdeen, Scotland
The Grampian Region is an area in northeastern Scotland that includes the city of Aberdeen and boasts scenic coastlines, a high concentration of castles, plenty of whiskey distilleries, and the Grampian Mountains. Aberdeen, like Houston, is known for its role in the oil and gas industry.
The Grampian-Houston Association, formed the same year Grampian and Houston became sister cities, was founded to foster connections between the two cities—including, but not limited to, their oil and gas industries. The organization shut down in 2024, citing difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the sister city relationship remains intact.
Sister city relationship established: 1979
Distance from Houston: 4,629 miles
Population: 224,021 (Aberdeen city population)
Perth, Australia
A strong synergy between Perth, Australia, and Houston’s energy sectors, combined with historical ties dating back to World War II, led to the establishment of a sister city relationship in 1984. Many American energy companies, including Chevron and Shell, have headquarters in Perth, and Houstonians working in the industry often travel to Perth for business.
Outside of energy, Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, is known for its sandy beaches, scenic parks, and nearby wine regions.
Sister city relationship established: 1984
Distance from Houston: 10,578 miles
Population: 34,624
Shenzhen, China
Shenzhen, located in southeastern China, is the country’s third-largest city. The coastal city is a technology hub, sometimes referred to as China’s Silicon Valley. Shenzhen is home to contemporary skyscrapers, massive shopping centers, and amusement parks.
Sister city relationship established: 1986
Distance from Houston: 8,323 miles
Population: 17,990,000
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador, is the country’s economic capital and main commercial hub. The port city, located on the west bank of the Guayas River, is known as the gateway to the Galapagos Islands.
Sister city relationship established: 1987
Distance from Houston: 2,431 miles
Population: 2,650,288
Stavanger, Norway
Stavanger, located on the Stavanger Peninsula in southwest Norway, is the country’s energy capital. Stavanger is also a popular tourist destination for those seeking to experience its rich culture and stunning natural beauty. However, its strong oil and shipping industries are what led to its sister city relationship with Houston.
As part of the relationship, there have been cultural exchanges in which Houston and Stavanger alternate as hosts every year. These youth programs, “Stavanger Days in Texas” and “Texas Days in Stavanger,” have won several awards from Sister Cities International. The University of Houston and the University of Stavanger also have an exchange program.
Sister city relationship established: 1988
Distance from Houston: 4,845 miles
Population: 150,123
Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is the country’s economic, historic, and cultural capital. The city masterfully mixes old and new with its historic center, Byzantine monuments, and modern skyscrapers.
Istanbul straddles the Bosporus Strait—a location that made Istanbul an ideal spot for trade and defense. One of the main reasons for the Turkey-Houston sister city relationship was to increase trade between the two economic powerhouses, and it seems to have worked. According to a 2023 report by Global Houston Partnership, trade between Houston and Turkey averaged $2.8 billion per year over the last decade.
Additionally, approximately 5,200 residents of metro Houston were born in Turkey.
Sister city relationship established: 1988
Distance from Houston: 6,388 miles
Population: 15,700,000
Leipzig, Germany
Leipzig, Germany, is not a traditional port city like many other destinations in this roundup, but it is known for its extensive network of rivers and canals. Like Houston, Leipzig has a thriving arts and music scene. Freight is also a major industry—the city’s airport is the second-busiest airport for cargo in Germany.
In 2010, the Houston-Leipzig Sister City Association received the Arts & Culture Award for Population over 500,001. Students, doctors, and business people participate in exchange programs between the two cities. As part of their sister city program, Houston can have only one sister city in Germany, and Leipzig can have only one in the United States.
Sister city relationship established: 1992
Distance from Houston: 5,328 miles
Population: 608,013
Tyumen, Russia
Tyumen is located on the Tura River in the Siberia region of Russia. Like many other cities in this roundup, Tyumen has a robust oil industry and is an epicenter of trade in the region.
In 2023, Houston announced it was suspending its sister city relationship with Tyumen, citing the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war. However, Tyumen remains on the Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs’ webpage, highlighting Houston’s sister cities.
Sister city relationship established: 1995
Distance from Houston: 6,325 miles
Population: 847,488
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is an archipelago of islands located in the Persian Gulf. The modern, cosmopolitan city is the heart of the United Arab Emirates’ oil industry.
Since the establishment of a sister city agreement between Houston and Abu Dhabi, the number of Houston companies opening offices in Abu Dhabi has increased. Additionally, students from Abu Dhabi often travel to Houston to attend college.
Sister city relationship established: 2001
Distance from Houston: 8,182 miles
Population: 3,789,860
Luanda, Angola
Luanda is a port city in Angola on the western coast of Africa. The city, located within a province by the same name, is Angola’s industrial and cultural center and a major hub for the country’s oil industry.
The sister city partnership emphasizes educational, cultural, and economic exchanges, as well as humanitarian assistance. The two cities often host events, such as youth workshops and an annual gala in Houston celebrating Angola’s Independence Day, to strengthen the connection between the two cities.
Sister city relationship established: 2003
Distance from Houston: 7,628 miles
Population: 2,571,861
Tampico, Mexico
Tampico is a port city located in the southeastern part of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, approximately six miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, on the banks of the Pánuco River. The city is famous for its architecture, but it also plays a major role in Mexico’s oil industry.
Tampico is the closest sister city to Houston in terms of geography. In 2023, the Houston Fire Department donated $230,000 worth of equipment to Tampico, highlighting one of the benefits of a strong sister city relationship.
Sister city relationship established: 2003
Distance from Houston: 658 miles
Population: 297,562
Karachi, Pakistan
Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and the country’s financial capital and primary seaport. It plays an important role in Pakistan’s oil industry as a refining location and the country’s primary port for oil imports.
The Houston Karachi Sister City Association hosts a slew of events and activities designed to foster understanding and interaction between the people of Houston and Karachi. Houston also participates in humanitarian efforts, such as donating medical equipment and supplies to Karachi after severe flooding in 2022.
Sister city relationship established: 2009
Distance from Houston: 8,480 miles
Population: 20,382,881
Basrah, Iraq
Unsurprisingly, Basrah, Iraq, is a significant oil-producing region. Basrah, a port city in southern Iraq, is the country’s third-largest city.
Improved trade and economic development are the main goals of the Basrah’s sister city relationship with Houston. Additionally, the Bilateral U.S.-Arab Chamber of Commerce is headquartered in Houston.
Sister city relationship established: 2015
Distance from Houston: 7,613 miles
Population: 1,524,650
Ulsan Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea
Ulsan, a major metropolitan area in southeast South Korea, is an industrial hub that’s home to one of the world’s largest oil refineries, one of the biggest automobile assembly plants, and the world’s largest shipyard.
Ulsan is Houston’s newest sister city. South Korea is Houston’s third-largest international trading partner, and according to the Global Houston Partnership, trade between the two has almost quadrupled over the past decade.
Sister city relationship established: 2021
Distance from Houston: 7,066 miles
Population: 1,100,000
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