Rizhuang, China

With a population of over 720,000, Rizhuang is no sleepy backwater. This county-level city is the northernmost division of the Qingdao metro area, meaning you'll contend with big-city bureaucracy. On the plus side, Rizhuang is known as Qingdao's "Back Garden" - though the climate is not specified, so expect typical northern China weather conditions. Overall, Rizhuang offers the amenities of a major urban center, but whether that's a pro or a con depends on your tolerance for red tape and gray skies. This is a city for those seeking a less frenetic pace than the coastal metropolis, but not the solitude of a rural retreat.