Hutang, China

The population of 56,370 may seem modest, but Hutang is no sleepy rural backwater. As the government headquarters of Wujin District, this town is the political and economic center of the region, with a total population of 200,000 residents. While Hutang has earned accolades as a "Top Town" and "Chinese Textile Town," the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache. The town covers a sprawling 84 square kilometers, so getting around may require patience. Overall, Hutang offers opportunities for those seeking a base in Jiangsu's industrial heartland, but the tradeoffs of small-town Chinese governance are ever-present.