Huainan, China

With a population over 3 million, Huainan is a sprawling industrial hub in Anhui province that thrives on coal production and thermal power. The city's built-up urban area is home to nearly 2 million residents, but a persistent headache is the bureaucracy surrounding its many administrative districts and counties. While Huainan boasts an impressive transportation network including high-speed rail, the climate can be a challenge, with hot summers and frigid winters. This gritty, coal-powered metropolis is best suited for those seeking affordable living and job opportunities in China's heartland, rather than an idyllic retreat.