Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, is recently recognized as a "National Garden City". [Photo/WeChat account: jsqdrb]

Qidong, a county-level city in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province, has been recognized as a "National Garden City", according to a recent list published by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-rural Development.

Qidong earned the title by balancing its layout, improving its infrastructure, beautifying its landscapes, and raising living standards. The title is one of the highest honors for cities in China.

Qidong, covering an area of 33.3 square kilometers, is home to eight comprehensive theme parks and over 30 small gardens. Its green coverage rate has increased to 41 percent over the past eight years.

At the end of 2019, parks in Qidong covered an area of over 3.7 sq km, or about 14 square meters per capita. 

Significant progress has been made in the city over the past year on the demolition of wharfs built with sandstone, the removal of building material dumps, and the clearing of illegal buildings.

Qidong has also established eight ecological corridors, with four located along main roads and four along rivers. A variety of trees with colorful leaves, including gingko and beech, have been selected to be planted along roads.

In 2014, the city was honored with the title "garden city of Jiangsu province", but this year it has received national recognition.