The city of Hangzhou again tops a list of 2009 Top 10 Happiest Cities in China, published by Oriental Outlook magazine, which is affiliated with China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.

The magazine reported its finding Dec 26, based on surveys sent by mail, cell phone or Internet to 30 million people, as well as an independent survey of 600,000 people from 100 Chinese cities. The evaluation looked at factors such as pace of life, “human touch,” opportunities to make money, convenience, natural environment, culture and entertainment options and safety, as well as the gap between rich and poor.

Hangzhou, which dates back more than 2,000 years, has topped the list all three years it has been published. The former Song Dynasty capital, now the capital of China’s Zhejiang Province, has long been known for its beautiful scenery, its fine silk and as the birthplace of Longjing tea. The idyllic scenery of Hangzhou’s West Lake adds to the city’s appeal. But what makes it an attractive place to live also seems to have a lot to do with its slower pace of life.

Cao Jingxing, a well-known Chinese commentator and TV host, said Hangzhou has a “peace that the other big cities like Shanghai can’t offer.” Plus, Hangzhou’s fast economic development has helped add wealth: The city’s per capita GDP reached above the $10,000 mark by the end of 2008, according to government figures.

Who followed Hangzhou on the “happiest cities” list? Sichuan’s Chengdu, Zhejiang’s Ningbo, Shaanxi’s Xi’an, Yunnan’s Kunming, Hunan’s Changsha, Jiangsu’s Nanjing, Ningxia’s Yinchuan, Jiangxi’s Nanchang and Jilin’s Changchun.

Oriental Outlook, in comparing the 2009 survey to the 2008 edition, noted that fewer cities form China’s more developed regions made the new list. “As the economic development is exposed to the impact of the global financial crisis, more and more residents turn to other factors that have nothing to do with the economy to evaluate their living environment,” the magazine reported. “In other words, nowadays, people pay more attention to the quality of life.”

By Lee