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BEIJING - Dirty, polluted, congested and razed of many old buildings - but Beijing has still been chosen as China's most beautiful city.
The city beat 558 mainland cities and former British colony Hong Kong, which came second in the China Institute of City Competitiveness survey.
Southern boomtown Shenzhen came third for "its role as the pioneer of China's opening up and reform policies", while glitzy Shanghai got fourth place "for being the country's financial centre", the official China Daily reported.
Institute chairman Gui Qiangfang said the assessment took into consideration Beijing's design, infrastructure, architecture, culture and natural beauty.
The result might surprise visitors. Historic sites, often clouded by smog, have long been under threat, but the situation has become worse as the city is refurbished for next year's Olympics.
- Reuters
