Baihua, China

41,574 people call Baihua home, but the reality of living there is far from idyllic. The written vernacular Chinese used throughout the region may be "plain speech," but navigating the local bureaucracy is anything but simple. Reformers have spent decades trying to standardize the language, yet the grammar and vocabulary remain a persistent headache for newcomers. While the city boasts a rich literary tradition, the day-to-day experience is a far cry from the elegant prose. Baihua is best suited for those fluent in the nuances of Chinese dialectics who don't mind jumping through administrative hoops.