Baizi, China

With a population of just under 48,000, Baizi is a modest agricultural town in Chongqing, China. While it boasts wide streets and private farmland dating back to the Song dynasty, this sleepy locale offers little in the way of economic opportunity or modern amenities. The town's per capita net income of 12,260 yuan suggests a modest standard of living, with agriculture as the primary industry. However, a persistent headache is the town's vulnerability to flooding - in 2013, heavy rains forced the evacuation of 18,000 residents, causing millions in damages. For those seeking a quiet rural life, Baizi may fit the bill, but it's hardly a thriving metropolis.