Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province, led the Top 10 Happiest Cities in China 2014 list released by Oriental outlook magazine of Xinhua News Agency and the Annual Report on Urban Development of China published by the China Association of Mayors.

About 23 million people have answered questionnaires for the survey, which launched in August. The evaluation of residents' responses took into account 70 indexes in six categories: the charm, vitality, power and influence of city culture, the city's image and residents' sense of happiness.

The ranking was released on Oct. 31, World City Day, which aims to improve the images of Chinese cities and promote them throughout the world.

The city ranking has been released for 8 consecutive years and is one of the most well-known rankings in China.

10. Dalian

Situated in the southernmost part of Liaoning province, right on the peninsula separating the Bohai and Yellow Seas, Dalian is one of China's most vibrant and modern cities. With its clean air, beautiful beaches and pleasant summertime temperatures, Dalian has become an ideal destination for those who want to escape the summer heat and the hustle and bustle in metropolises like Beijing and Shanghai.