Leiyang, China

With a population of over 1.1 million, Leiyang is a sprawling county-level city in Hunan Province. The economy is centered around paper production, mining, and forestry, but the GDP per capita of around $6,000 suggests a relatively modest standard of living. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the saga of the inept magistrate Pang Tong. And in the past, the city has even been razed by communist forces, underscoring the political volatility of the region. For those seeking an authentic, small-town Chinese experience, away from the glitz of the megacities, Leiyang could be an option - but it's no picnic.