Lengshuijiang, China

With a population of just 329,912, this resource-rich county-level city in central Hunan is hardly a bustling metropolis. The economy is dominated by the mining and smelting of antimony, which accounts for over 50% of global production. While Lengshuijiang boasts a subtropical climate with four distinct seasons, the bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with frequent administrative changes and mergers of local townships. For those seeking a tranquil, nature-oriented life away from the stresses of big-city living, Lengshuijiang may be worth considering - but the lack of higher education options and limited transportation links mean this is unlikely to appeal to the average expat.