SHENZHEN has been named one of the top internationally competitive tourist cities in China, the Daily Sunshine reported Thursday.

    The list was compiled and released jointly by International Tourist Association (ITA), Asia-Pacific Tourism Organization (APTO) and China Marketing Society at a conference in Yangshuo, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Wednesday, the report said.

    Xiamen, Yangshuo and some other cities were also on the list. But the report did not say how many cities received the honor.

    Compilers of the list used almost 20 indices in the selection process, including tourism revenue, tourist facilities, number of tourists and travel agencies, the uniqueness of tourism resources and prospects of tourism development, the report said.

    As one of the most important tourist cities in China, Shenzhen has advantages for international tourism, the compilers said. The number of overseas tourists who spend at least a night in the city has been topping mainland cities for some time, with the figure reaching 6.16 million in 2005.

    Shenzhen is also known for many pristine beaches along its 257-km coastline, and the 218 parks that are open to the public free of charge. The city is also famous for its many theme parks, like Window of the World, Splendid China-China Folk Culture Villages and Happy Valley. The theme parks are just some of the city’s more than 50 tourist attractions of different kinds.