Jiawang Zhen, China

With a population of 3,210,418, Jiawang Zhen is no sleepy backwater. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the climate swings between bone-chilling winters and sweltering summers. However, the city's strategic location on the Yangtze River and Grand Canal makes it a major transportation hub, serving as a vital link between the prosperous regions of Shanghai and Nanjing. If you can tolerate the administrative hassles, Jiawang Zhen offers economic opportunities for those drawn to its role as a regional commercial center.