Baisheng, China

With a population of just 41,114, Baisheng is a small, unexceptional city that offers little to entice foreign residents. The lack of global business presence and a mere smattering of international restaurants means creature comforts will be in short supply. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city lacks the streamlined procedures found in China's major hubs. This sleepy backwater is best suited for those seeking an authentic, no-frills taste of provincial Chinese life - but few others need apply.