Urban branding bonanza proves tourism magnet

Cities throughout east China's Shandong province have launched a charm offensive, aimed at building their national and global profiles.

The Shandong Peninsula is the epicenter of this ongoing branding process, which has already seen the city of Qingdao designated as one of China's Top Ten Branded Cities at the Third China Brand Festival. It was granted the title of Most Famous Branded City in China in November 2005. Now it is poised to become one of the world's most well-known cities.

Qingdao won the accolade through being the home to two of the world's most famous brand names, 69 of China's most well-known trade name and 36 leading Chinese brands, which together account for 25.1 percent of Shandong's turnover. It is now China's second-largest city for well-known brand-name products, number two only to Shanghai.