A photo exhibition showcasing Qidong's massive changes is unveiled at the Qidong Art Museum in Qidong, Nantong, Jiangsu province, on Oct 8. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_36f5c871cac4]

A photo exhibition showcasing Qidong's massive changes in six areas, including industrial development, transportation construction and natural scenery was unveiled at the Qidong Art Museum in Qidong, Nantong, Jiangsu province on Oct 8.

Over the past decade, the city's GDP expanded from 59.82 billion yuan ($8.25 billion) in 2012 to 134.59 billion yuan, with an average annual growth rate of 8.6 percent.

On the list of top 100 counties in terms of basic competitiveness, Qidong climbed from 39th place in 2012 to 17th place in 2021. The urbanization rate increased from 51 percent in 2012 to 60.68 percent in 2021.

In 2021, the per capita incomes of urban and rural residents increased to 54,910 and 30,710 yuan, respectively. The income ratio of urban and rural residents was 1.29, lower than the provincial and Nantong's average.

The per capita housing area of urban and rural residents rose from 39.4 and 53.3 square meters in 2012 to 55.4 and 68.8 sq m in 2021.

Yuantuojiao Resort in Qidong, Jiangsu province. [Photo/WeChat account: gh_36f5c871cac4]

In addition, the city has been working to enhance its 178-kilometer coastline in the past 10 years.

Scenic spots such as Diehu Lake Park, Jianghai Cultural Viewing Avenue, Bihai Yinsha Scenic Area, and Longwan Water Town were built, forming a beautiful coastline.