China's Small Town Index Research Group recently released the Development Index Report on Small Towns with Special Characteristics in China 2018, which examines the development of small towns with distinctive local features in the country's 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.

The report includes the latest rankings of top 50 most beautiful specialty towns in China and top 50 most beautiful Chinese towns. A total of 15 indicators across four dimensions, including special industries, people's living environment, culture and tourism, were used to measure their development. 

Specialty towns, which cover a land area of a few square kilometers, are neither administrative units, nor industrial parks in the traditional sense. They are towns built around a unique industry theme, with a variety of functions as areas for residence, cultural life and tourism.

Six of the top ten most beautiful specialty towns in China are from Zhejiang province.

The province also dominates the top 50 ranking with 23 entrants. It is followed by Jiangsu with seven and Yunnan with five. 

The research group was set up by Hangzhou-based Shuliang Technology and the Eastern Culture and Urban Development Institute of the Development Research Center of the State Council, commissioned by the National Development and Reform Commission.

The following are the top 10 most beautiful specialty towns in China 2018:

10. Airport Town in Daoli district, Harbin city, Heilongjiang province