Land use in China changed from 2010 to 2015, with more built-up areas and less cropland. Woodland and grassland also decreased. The changes were different in different regions: the east saw more urban growth, the central region had faster changes, and the west had more built-up areas and less cropland. Northeast China had slower urban growth and some cropland increase. The changes in the east matched the government's plans, but protecting ecological areas in central and western China was a challenge. Local governments need to manage land development better in the future.