Yantai tops Chinese cities for livability

The coastal city of Yantai, East China's Shandong province topped Chinese cities in terms of livable environment, according to a recent list.

The report was compiled by the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences and the Asia Competitiveness Institute of National University of Singapore.

It is based on five main factors – economic vitality and competitiveness, environmental protection and sustainability, domestic security and stability, social and cultural status, and urban management.

Other cities that made the top five include Macao, Xiamen in Fujian province, Weihai in Shandong province and Beijing.

A pearl shining on the eastern Shandong Peninsula, Yantai is home to some fantastic coastal scenery with its shimmering blue seas, clear skies, radiant sunshine, golden beaches, stunning off-shore islands and fresh seafood and wine.

Surrounded by the mountains and sea, the city is blessed with a picturesque landscape and four distinct seasons.

The city also leads Shandong province in economic development and opening-up. Its gross domestic product totaled 417.2 billion yuan ($59.43 billion) in the first half of 2019, ranking 21st among Chinese cities.

The newly-built Yantai Area of the Shandong Pilot Free Trade Zone in August is helping the city become more open in investment, finance, education and medicine.