Guanhu, China

With a population of 1.47 million, Guanhu is no sleepy suburb. The hectic pace and dense crowds can be a shock for those more accustomed to quieter living. And bureaucratic headaches are a persistent annoyance, thanks to the district's recent annexation to Guangzhou. Yet the subtropical climate, with an average temperature of 22 degrees and over 1,900 mm of annual rainfall, creates ideal conditions for the region's prized lychee harvests. For those drawn to a thriving economy and cosmopolitan energy, Guanhu may be a suitable fit. But the frenetic urban environment is not for the faint of heart.