Abstract： Objective To understand patient pathway and clinical characteristics of chronic diseases in urban areas of Shanghai. Methods A total of 10 002 residents were enrolled and assigned to the chronic disease group (including hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke) and the non-chronic disease group. Body mass index,fasting blood glucose, triglyceride,total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were tested.Difference of patient pathway and clinical characteristics of those chronic diseases was compared. Results Above chronic diseases were observed in 37.7% participants. About 2/3 diseases were confirmed and 80% patients were followed up in healthcare units not far away from home. Patients with coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction showed more outpatient visit to tertiary hospitals (P＜0. 05 ). However, patients with ischemic stroke had health check, rehabilitation and pharmacy done mainly in local healthcare centers (P＜0. 05 ). Diastolic blood pressure of patients visiting local doctors was significantly decreased (P＜0. 05). Conclusion Some differences in patient pathway were found in this study. Communication and cooperation between medical institutions should be intensified for effective chronic disease control.