Haikou, China

Capital City

With a population of 2,873,358, Haikou may seem like a bustling metropolis, but the reality is a mixed bag. The city's air quality may rank second nationally, but that's cold comfort when the bureaucracy is a persistent headache and typhoons lash the coast for half the year. Haikou's green spaces and restored historic districts offer respite, but the traffic woes and occasional bouts of pollution are an unavoidable tradeoff. This city is best suited for those who can tolerate the subtropical climate and red tape in exchange for a slower pace of life on the tropical island of Hainan.