Chengzhong, China

With a population of 265,886, Chengzhong is no quaint countryside retreat. The city's heritage as a hardware manufacturing hub means bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the air quality leaves much to be desired. However, the legacy of philanthropist Ye Chengzhong, who established schools and charitable institutions here in the late 19th century, suggests this could be a stimulating environment for the entrepreneurially-inclined.

Chengzhong is not for the faint of heart - the grit and grind of its industrial past lingers. But for those seeking opportunities in a rapidly developing region, it may offer a more authentic Chinese experience than the glitz of the coastal megacities.