Haimen, China

Living in this town of 125,427 people is no walk in the park. Residents have taken to the streets to protest the expansion of a coal-fired power plant, citing environmental and health concerns. Riot police cracked down on the demonstrations, detaining protesters and firing tear gas into the crowds. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the local government's initial refusal to suspend the unpopular project. Haimen may not be the idyllic Chinese town some imagine - this is a place where citizens have to fight for basic protections. Unless you have a high tolerance for political tension and environmental risks, this town is probably best avoided.