Hejiang, China

With a population of just 137,437, this small city in China offers a far-from-glamorous existence. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the central government's authority waned after the collapse of the Qing dynasty. And while the region saw some economic growth during the Nationalist "Nanjing Decade", the devastation of the Sino-Japanese War left China's industries operating at only 20% capacity by 1946. Those seeking a quiet, provincial life may find Hejiang appealing, but it's hardly the vibrant, booming metropolis some might imagine.