Shandong rich in ancient cities

As one of the important cradles of Chinese civilization, Shandong province in East China is home to 10 national historical and cultural cities, each with their own distinctive features.

"History and culture is the soul of a city as well as the core of urban soft power. The rich historical and cultural resources provide strong advantages and lasting power for urban development," said Xie Zhixiu, head of the Cultural Relics Bureau of Shandong.

"Although urbanization is an important topic in China's contemporary development, urban construction should coexist harmoniously with historical and cultural heritage," Xie said.