Tai'an in East China's Shandong province has announced plans to invest 4.83 billion yuan ($713.71 million) in a bid to win the "international slow city" prize.

The "international slow city" prize is awarded by Cittaslow International, an international movement founded in Italy in 1999 that aims to preserve leisurely and environmentally-friendly lifestyles in small towns around the world.

A rendering of an antique street Tai'an plans to create as part of the "slow city"project. [Photo/wechat: hitaishan]

As of June 2016, the body has recognized 225 "slow towns" worldwide, including five towns on the Chinese mainland in five different provinces.

Already a popular tourist city and home of the world-famous Mount Tai, Tai'an plans to use the "slow city" project to make its local tourist industry more sustainable and to ensure that it better preserves its local culture, as well as making the city more livable and prosperous.

A rendering of a children's summer camp venue to be constructed during the "slow city" project. [Photo/wechat: hitaishan]

The city’s abundant tourist resources and geographic advantages have provided a solid foundation for Tai'an's "slow city" construction project.

The project will focus on one 60-square-kilometer area located in Dajinkou county in the eastern part of Tai'an, which houses nine villages and two scenic spots, Yuquan Temple and Mount Tai's Tianzhu Peak.

Dajinkou county boasts unique natural landscapes and a rich cultural heritage. It is a small county with a total population of some 15,000. Most local residents have retained their original rustic lifestyles.

The area also has the advantage of being easily accessible from downtown Tai'an, being only 17 kilometers from the city's high-speed rail station and 12 kilometers from Mount Tai Station.

Tai'an's "slow city" plans will not only aim to develop tourism and renovate old neighborhoods, but will encourage tourist sites, communities and villages to work together to build a livable, sustainable city with a unique local culture.

A rendering of a lane containing a site for quiet contemplation that will be constructed as part of the "slow city" project. [Photo/wechat: hitaishan]

One of the core values of the "slow city" movement is to maintain the cultural diversity and uniqueness of each individual city. And Tai'an will seek to highlight the culture of Mount Tai, creating four seasonal travel plans with corresponding cultural activities.

Local history and folk legends will also be compiled to popularize the region's culture through tourist programs and local guides. The nine villages will be built with different themes, and other functional venues are to be established to connect the whole "slow city".