Changtu, China

This county in northeastern China has a population of over 700,000, but don't let that fool you - Changtu is a rural backwater with limited economic opportunities and an aging, shrinking workforce. Agriculture dominates the local economy, which grew a modest 2.9% in 2019 to reach ¥13.32 billion. While the average salary of ¥34,915 may seem decent, the county's unemployment rate sits at 3.74%, and bureaucracy is a persistent headache. With just 540,000 tourists passing through in 2019, this is hardly a thriving hub. Changtu is best suited for those seeking a quiet, provincial lifestyle far from the hustle and bustle of China's megacities.