Longjing, China

With a population of just 117,185, Longjing is hardly the bustling metropolis some may envision. In fact, the bureaucracy around its famous tea production is a persistent headache - the government tightly controls what can be sold as "authentic" Longjing, and even trained experts struggle to tell the real deal from cheap counterfeits. While the mild, rainy climate is ideal for growing the prized tea leaves, the remote location and limited infrastructure make Longjing a poor choice for those seeking big-city amenities. This sleepy village is best suited for tea connoisseurs willing to navigate the red tape in exchange for a taste of the legendary Dragon Well.