Daliang, China

Capital City

With over 4.8 million residents, Daliang is a crowded metropolis that offers little respite from the relentless bureaucracy and environmental challenges. The tax burden is heavy, and the city has been battered by major floods over 300 times since the Song dynasty. Yet Daliang remains a major hub for commerce and scientific research, home to one of China's national key universities. For those who can navigate the persistent headaches, Daliang may hold appeal as an inland economic powerhouse.