Top 5 Chinese cities to retire in 2013 (3)

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Top 5 Chinese cities to retire in 2013 (3)

By Lu Na (China.org.cn) 11:10, August 30, 2013

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Chengdu, Sichuan province (Photo source: china.org.cn)

Grade 1 air quality: 30 days a year

Median home price: 8,116 yuan/per square meter

Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, features the lowest home prices among the five cities on the list as well as plenty of growing business opportunities, upgraded urban infrastructure and a more convenient life. It was one of the country's top 10 livable cities in 2006 and 2007 due to its mild climate and good air quality. In addition, its tasty cuisine made it the first Asian city named City of Gastronomy by UNESCO in 2010.

Hangzhou, the city with both a splendid natural scenery and a pleasant climate, claimed, for the third time, the first spot on an annual list of the county's best places for retirement, according to 2013 list released recently by the Chinese edition of Fortune magazine.

The survey started on May 18 and the magazine collected 1,038 valid questionnaires from 25,000 senior executives until June 18. It covers 50 cities of China and features eight grading indexes, which take into consideration quality of life, social welfare, harmony between urban and the natural landscape, cultural atmosphere, service provision and healthcare and housing for retirees.

The ranking suggests that when they retire, instead of residing in the prosperous cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, people look forward to leading a simple and traditional life in the country's second-tier cities. Besides, following the fast development of public welfare, medical facilities and related services, as well as their amazing scenery, these cities will attract more and more elite to retire.

The ratio of people who had plans to spend their life after retirement in another country was 57 percent, down by 5 percent compared to last year's nearly 62 percent. However, they still list Australia, Canada and New Zealand as their top three destinations.