Anqiu, China

With a population of over 840,000, Anqiu is a sizable county-level city in China's Shandong province. However, the built-up area is much smaller, suggesting a sprawling, diffuse layout. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city divided into 2 subdistricts and 11 towns. On the plus side, Anqiu is home to a section of the Great Wall of Qi, a historical landmark. But the climate data is conspicuously absent, so it's unclear if the weather is a draw or a deterrent. Overall, Anqiu seems best suited for those seeking an authentic, small-town Chinese experience, rather than the bright lights of a megacity.