Baiyin, China

This former mining town is struggling to reinvent itself, with an aging population of 1.5 million and dwindling natural resources. The climate is harsh, with a net annual water loss of over 1,800 mm, and bureaucracy remains a persistent headache. While a high-tech park is in development, Baiyin's glory days as an industrial powerhouse appear to be behind it. This city is likely best suited for those who don't mind the environmental challenges and are willing to navigate China's byzantine administrative systems.