Ordos, China

With a population of 2,153,638 as of 2020, Ordos is a prosperous yet bureaucratic prefecture-level city in China's Inner Mongolia region. While its massive coal reserves have fueled rapid economic growth, the local climate is harsh, with long, frigid winters and frequent strong winds. The city's vast, sparsely inhabited Kangbashi New Area is a prime example of China's ambitious but often underoccupied urban development projects. Those drawn to Ordos' high GDP per capita of $65,192 will need to navigate persistent headaches like the region's heavy tax burden and tangled bureaucracy. This is a city best suited for resilient entrepreneurs and miners seeking to capitalize on China's resource boom.