SHENZHEN is the third most beautiful city in China, following Beijing and Hong Kong, according to a study released Monday.
The six-month study, which was conducted by the Hong Kong-based China Research Institute for Urban Competitiveness, said Shenzhen took third place among 661 cities for its role as the pioneer of China’s opening up and reform policies, its youth and vigor.
The study took into consideration the city’s urban design, infrastructure, architecture, culture and natural beauty, according to the nongovernmental research institute which was founded in 1998.
Other factors also included the preservation of historical monuments, forest coverage, air quality, transportation network, city life, public spaces and GDP.
Beijing was named the most beautiful city and Hong Kong the safest and the second most beautiful.
In the list of the safest cities, Shenzhen came 11th, with Guangzhou at 13th.
In this category, the city’s crime rate, stability of financial policies, government authority, industrial accident rate, food safety and pollution were considered.
Gui Qiangfang, the institute’s chairman, said Beijing claimed the position of most beautiful city for its “rich history and culture.” Hong Kong, which ranked second, won praise for its skyscrapers, Victoria Harbor and the development of its services industry. (Han Ximin)