"CCTV2004 Charming City Exhibition" is a special city image promotion activity organized by CCTV to promote the urbanization of China. The selection criteria of charming cities include scientific urban development planning, dynamic economy, creative urban construction, elegant urban environment, long history and culture and positive spirit.

The CCTV2004 China Charming City Awards Gala was held under the Juyongguan Great Wall in Beijing. Quanzhou in Fujian, Dali in Yunnan, Sanya in Hainan, Kunshan in Jiangsu, Yantai in Jiangxi, Jiujiang, Shaoxing, Guilin in Zhejiang, Dongguan in Guangdong and Luoyang in Henan stood out among more than 600 cities below the prefecture level, and 10 was selected as the "Best Charming City in China". In addition, ten cities including Xianyang, Jilin, Qiqihar, Changzhi, Rongcheng, Xiangfan, Huangshan, Dujiangyan, Changde and Zhuhai were rated as "China's Charming Cities".