Three cities in East China's Zhejiang province – Hangzhou, Ningbo and Taizhou – were chosen as 2018's happiest cities in China by Oriental Outlook magazine's annual ranking, released in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on Nov 26.

One of China's most influential measurements of a city's overall development and its residents' quality of life, Oriental Outlook's rankings were released this month for the 12th consecutive year. More than 998 million people worldwide have submitted completed questionnaires over the past 12 years.

The poll surveys a city to established standards involving education, employment, medical care, public services and the environment.

Hangzhou

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, is famous for its beautiful natural scenery and well-organized society. The city attaches great importance to everyday civility, announcing regulations over transportation, public manners and voluntary services.  Hangzhou is the only city to have been on the list of China's happiest cities for 12 consecutive years.

In Hangzhou, buses and cars give way to pedestrians. [Photo/Zhejiang Fabu WeChat]