Once the flourishing heart of Imperial China, Datong now stands on the brink of collapse. It holds the unfortunate title of the most polluted city in the nation, plagued by crumbling infrastructure and bleak economic prospects. However, Mayor Geng Tanbo is determined to transform this situation, unveiling an ambitious plan to restore Datong to its ancient splendor as a cultural epicenter from 1,600 years ago. This vision, though, comes with a steep price. Thousands of homes are set to be demolished, and 500,000 residents—comprising 30 percent of Datong’s population—will be displaced under his leadership. His success hinges on his ability to pacify a sea of disgruntled workers and a growingly uneasy ruling class. “The Chinese Mayor” offers an extraordinary glimpse into a man and, by extension, a nation, as they make a frantic leap toward an increasingly uncertain future.