Yantai was designated one of China's "forest cities" along with 21 other cities during an urban forest construction symposium held on Sept 19, in Yan'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province, according to jiaodong.net.

Yantai is designated as one of China's "forest cities" along with another 21 cities during an urban forest construction symposium held on Sept 19, in Yan'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi province. [Photo/jiaodong.net]

Being named a National Forest City is a huge honor for a city which has done so much to protect its environment. The National Forest City event was launched by the State Forestry Administration and has been held annually since 2004.

Surrounded by mountains and sea, Yantai is blessed with a picturesque landscape and four distinct seasons. It is a vibrant and beautiful coastal city favorable for human settlement, known as a "Fairyland on Earth" and "City of Wine", where people can enjoy a blue sea and sky, golden sunshine and beaches, stunning islands, the spectacular Penglai Pavilion, and numerous hot springs.

The woodlands in Yantai cover over 533,333 hectares, and the ratio of forest coverage has reached 40 percent, ranking it first in Shandong province.

The city is home to 25 forest parks, 20 nature reserves and 7 wetland areas, amounting to a total area of nearly 201,733 hectares.

The National Forest City is selected and awarded by the National Forestation Commission and the State Forestry Administration based on a series of strict evaluating criteria, and is an important inspection standard for urban forestation and environmental protection.

Kunyu Mountain National Nature Reserve in Yantai, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/jiaodong.net]

The beautiful mountain forest of Qixia, a county-level city in Yantai, East China's Shandong province. [Photo/jiaodong.net]