Liping, China

With just 82,710 residents, Liping is a modest provincial town, far removed from the glitz and glamor of China's coastal cities. The reality here is one of hard work and modest means - the town's remote location and lack of economic clout mean the bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and amenities can be scarce. While the nearby Dai ethnic minority does lend the area a unique cultural flair, for most foreigners, Liping likely offers little beyond a quiet, rural existence. This sleepy backwater is best suited for those seeking an authentic slice of Chinese small-town life, rather than the bright lights and bustling streets of the megacities.