Hedong, China

Forget the picturesque mountain vistas - with 101,825 residents, Hedong is a gritty industrial hub where the airport handles over 6 million passengers annually. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the airport's endless terminal expansions and name changes over the years. On the plus side, the city's strategic location means it's an important transportation hub, with high-speed rail and dozens of flight connections. Overall, Hedong is best suited for pragmatic types who can navigate the red tape and don't mind a utilitarian urban environment.