Jietou, China

With a population of 65,843, Jietou is no bustling metropolis. The national highway network may connect the city to the rest of China, but the reality is that bureaucracy is a persistent headache. Expressways are still a work in progress, with only half the planned system completed so far. For those seeking an authentic small-town experience, Jietou could be a viable option. But for the ambitious or impatient, the city's sluggish development and administrative red tape may prove too much of a frustration.