Guangzhou, China

Capital City

With a population of 18,676,605 and counting, Guangzhou is China's fastest-growing metropolis - but the breakneck pace of development comes with its challenges. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, while the subtropical climate means sweltering summers and dreary winters. Still, the city's status as a global finance and manufacturing hub makes it a magnet for ambitious professionals seeking opportunity, if they can stomach the crowds and compromises.