The latest China Urban Competitiveness Ranking was released by the Hong Kong-based China Institute of City Competitiveness (CICC) in June 2013. The easterncoastal city of Weihai was named the most livable city across the country, according to this year's list.
The list ranks Chinese cities for their living conditions including local governance, public order, environment, economy and culture.
Apart from the livable city ranking, the CICC also published other Chinese city rankingsbased on a China City Competitiveness Index System, which includes hundreds ofspecific indexes covering economy, social, environment and culture.
The CICC was founded in 1998 in Hong Kong, and has begun to release China CityCompetitiveness Rankings since 2002.
Top 10: Hong Kong
Score: 73.45
As the "Pearl of the Orient", Hong Kong is a leading financial, banking, trade andtourism center in Asia and the world. Situated off the southeast coast of China,enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and the South China Sea, Hong Kong is renownedfor its impressive natural scenery and splendid man-made wonders.
Top 9: Qujing, Yunnan
Score: 74.78
Located in the eastern Yunnan Province of Southwest China, Qujing is bordered byGuizhou and Guangxi provinces in the east, and about 135 kilometers west from theprovincial capital Kunming. With a favorable climate and a healthy economic growth,Qujing was named as one of the most livable cities in China in 2005, 2006, 2008 and2012.
Top 8: Quzhou, Zhejiang
Score: 75.77
Situated in the west of Zhejiang Province, Quzhou connects Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui andZhejiang provinces. Lying in the upper reaches of the Qiantang River, the city featuresfour distinct seasons and a comfortable environment. With over 1,800 years of history,Quzhou was named as one of the National Historical and Cultural Cities of China by theState Council in 1994.
Top 7: Nanning, Guangxi
Score: 76.68
Settled in the center of Guangxi Province, Nanning is considered a commercial and communication center, connecting China and Southeast Asia. The pleasant climate endows the city with evergreen trees and fragrant flowers all year round. The city is also home to more than 30 ethnic minority groups, who have been living harmoniously for 1,680 years.
Top 6: Xinyang, Henan
Score: 77.89
Xinyang, in southern Henan Province, sits between the north foot of Dabie Mountain and the upper reaches of Huaihe River. At the origins of Chinese civilization, the city embraces a history of more than 8,000 years. With a beautiful landscape and comfortable living condition, Xinyang has consecutively been on the country's Livable City Ranking since 2009.
Top 5: Taichung, Taiwan
Score: 79.63
Located in Taiwan, Taichung is the third largest city on the island in terms of population, after Taipei and Kaohsiung. With the Taiwan Strait in the west and the Central Mountain Range in the east, the city features splendid mountains, tranquil lakes, beautiful wetlands and fantastic downtown sceneries.
Top 4: Huizhou, Guangdong
Score: 82.82
Located in the southeast of Guangdong Province, Huizhou is neighbor to Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Settled between Dayawan Bay of the South China Sea and Luofu Mountain, the local scenic areas are varied - mountains, rivers, sea and forests. Huizhou is the headquarter of many famous Chinese enterprises, especially electronics and IT companies, including TCL, Desay Corp., and Huayang General Electronic.
Top 3: Jinhua, Zhejiang
Score: 83.15
Jinhua is situated in the central part of Zhejiang Province, with Quzhou in the west and Shaoxing and Hangzhou in the north. Featuring a charming landscape and a rich cultural heritage, the city was named as one of the National Historical and Cultural Cities of China by the State Council in 2007. In 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2012, Jinhua was included in the Top 10 Livable City Ranking.
Top 2: Zhuhai, Guangdong
Score: 83.56
Lying at the southwest tip of the Pearl River Delta in Guangdong Province, Zhuhai is one of the five Special Economic Zones in China, and a neighbor of Hong Kong and Macau. Consisting of 146 islets, the city is called "City of Islands" and "City of Romance". In recent years, Zhuhai has experienced an impressive economic growth, especially in the electronics, garment and home appliances industries.
Top 1: Weihai, Shandong
Score: 85.23
Weihai, situated in the easternmost part of Shandong Province, is surrounded by the Yellow Sea in the north, east and south. Enjoying a temperate continental monsoon climate, the city has no chilly winter and sweltering summer. In October 6, 2003, Weihai became the first city in China to receive the Habitat Scroll of Honor Award issued by the United Nations.