Liuji, China

54,785 people live in this sleepy town in western Shandong - a population on par with a small American suburb, not a major urban center. The town is nestled less than 6 kilometers from the Yellow River, but 17 km from the county seat, suggesting a remote, rural feel. With 85 villages under its administration, bureaucratic headaches are likely a persistent issue for residents. Overall, Liuji offers a quiet, provincial lifestyle far from China's megacities, but may not be the best fit for those seeking cosmopolitan amenities or efficient local government.