This undated photo shows two women selling snacks in a street of Yangzhou, a city in east China's Jiangsu Province. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Yangzhou in East China's Jiangsu Province, which has made great achievements in preserving its 2000-year-old old town, has been deemed one of the most inhabitable cities in China.

Since 2001, the local government has invested about 20 billion yuan ($3 billion) in preserving the city's historical architecture and improving its overall infrastructure, according to Zhang Jingyan, Vice Mayor of the city.

Local government officials not only have restored buildings and lanes and replanted trees and flowers, but also have revived traditional lifestyles and folk culture. Forty museums have been established to introduce the city's history and folk arts, a number that will increase to 100 by the year 2020.

More than 100,000 local residents now enjoy better living conditions in Yangzhou. A survey done by the local government indicated that more than 96 percent of the city's residents said they were satisfied with the urban environment and quality of life -- a high percentage compared with similar survey responses by those who live in other Chinese cities.

The ancient city of Yangzhou is renowned for its Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1636-1912) dynasty architecture, rich in tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The city's Slim West Lake is in no way inferior to the famous West Lake in Hangzhou in the same province.

The tranquil and elegant city has added vivid illustrations and interpretations to its attractions, famous shops, flora and important lanes to give domestic and foreign tourists a better understanding of its rich culture and splendid history.

Yangzhou City attracts 15 million visitors every year, according to Zhang. Now that it has improved its infrastructure and ecological environment, preserved its traditional architecture and revived its folk crafts, the city is applying to UNESCO to be listed as a World Heritage site.