China's National Bureau of Statistics on Thursday listed 97 counties in western China as the most attractive destinations for investment.

On the sidelines of the 12th Western China International Fair that is being held in Chengdu, capital of southwestern Sichuan Province, the Bureau said the list measured the investment-inviting potentials of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities across China's less developed west.

Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region boasts the largest number of 27 counties or county-level banners, including Jung-Gar Banner and Etuoke Banner, on the list. Sichuan boasts the second largest number of 18 counties.

Other counties were selected from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Chongqing Municipality, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and provinces of Shaanxi, Yunnan, Guizhou, and Gansu.

Listings were done by a magazine affiliated to the secretariat of the organizing committee of Western China International Fair and the National Bureau of Statistics. The magazine released its first list in 2010.