Based on the technology organization environment culture (TOE-C) theory, an analytical framework has thus been constructed for the development and construction of smart cities with technological rationality and cultural rationality combined together. A configuration analysis is conducted on 35 key city cases across the country by using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Research has found that the insufficient development of big data and the shortage of financial resources are the main factors which hinder the development and construction of low-level smart cities. For the development and construction of high-level smart cities, there are three driving paths which lead to the same destination, namely the development model led by“technology-environment”, by“technology uncertainty”, and by“organization-culture”. There is an asymmetric relationship between the antecedent configuration of low-level and high-level smart city development.