Dazeshan, China

With a population of just 60,034, Dazeshan is a tiny speck on the map of China. This rural outpost on the Shandong Peninsula offers little in the way of urban amenities or economic opportunity. The climate is mild, thanks to the peninsula's maritime influence, but bureaucracy is a persistent headache - the region was the site of repeated foreign occupations throughout history. For those seeking a quiet, pastoral life away from the frenetic pace of China's megacities, Dazeshan may fit the bill. But for most, this sleepy backwater offers little appeal.