An aerial view of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province [Photo provided to China Daily]

Xiamen, a coastal city in East China's Fujian province, was recognized as the happiest city among China's provincial capitals, municipalities, and cities specifically designated in the State plan, local media outlets reported.

The result was announced at the list-release gala of the China's Economic Life Survey (2020-21) event held in Chengdu, Sichuan province on April 23. Xiamen was followed by Lhasa, Chengdu, Hohhot, Qingdao, Xining, Dalian, Haikou, Nanning, and Changsha.

The survey, which has been held annually for 15 years, was sponsored by China Central Television, the National Bureau of Statistics, China Post, and the National School of Development at Peking University.

It tracks new trends in income, expenditures, social security, and life quality among Chinese people by releasing 100,000 questionnaires to 300 counties and 104 cities in 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions.

Xiamen boasts enchanting natural scenery and a pleasant climate and is a popular tourist destination. More than 140 gardens and over 80,000 hectares of green area carpet the city, winning it numerous honors such as the Habitat Scroll of Honor Award, the title of International Garden City, and the title of National Model City for Environmental Protection.

The city also boasts a convenient public transport system featuring metro lines, buses, BRT (bus rapid transit), and an advanced international logistics network combining railways, waterways, and air.

As one of the country's first four special economic zones and a key hub along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Xiamen also leads China in reform and opening-up, attracting talent from across the world with a favorable business and living environment.