Beijing for many might be an ugly city with all its dirty sites, vehicles pumping out black, chocking fumes and many sickly looking old buildings, but for the Chinese, it is the most beautiful city of the country.
Yes, China known as the ‘air pollution capital of world’ beat the former British colony Hong Kong to secure the first position when it comes to the land’s beauty! Hong Kong being the second in the list, China has top the list of the non-profit organization, China Institute of City Competitiveness beating 558 mainland cities.
Though the glitzy Shanghai has reasonably secured the fourth position as the country’s financial centre, and Shenzhen the third for its pioneering role in China’s opening up and reform policies, few could digest Beijing’s capability to grab the ‘most beautiful city’ crown.
Ironically, it was Beijing’s design, infrastructure, architecture, culture and also natural beauty that crowned the capital-city with the honor.
Official China Daily reported the crowning-factors being the city’s historical monuments’ preservation, forest coverage and “of all” air quality! The transportation network, city life, public space and GDP were also considered.
Comparing Beijing’s polluted historic sites — with fumes and factory emissions threatening monuments and human health — with the clean and leafy cities of Qingdao and Hangzhou have reasonably led the result leave many surprised.
