Haining, China

With a population of over 1 million, Haining is a bustling industrial hub in China's Yangtze River Delta. The city's GDP per capita of 109,600 RMB is 34% higher than the surrounding Jiaxing region, suggesting a reasonably affluent local economy. However, bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the city government having been shuffled around during wartime. Haining is known for its leather and textile industries, as well as natural attractions like the tidal bore in the Qiantang River. This combination of manufacturing prowess and natural beauty may appeal to those seeking an authentic, non-glamorous Chinese city experience, but the administrative hassles are something to consider carefully.