Shouguang, China

With over 1.1 million residents, this county-level city in northern Shandong is hardly the quaint village many imagine when they think of moving to China. The agricultural industry dominates the local economy, making Shouguang the "home of vegetables" and a major hub for chemical products. However, the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache, as the city has been under various administrative jurisdictions for centuries.

While Shouguang has made strides in modernizing its vegetable markets and transportation, its climate on the coast of the Laizhou Bay can be harsh, with the city historically prone to natural disasters like the Nian army's annihilation in 1868. This is a city best suited for those seeking an immersive experience in China's agricultural heartland, not a cushy expat lifestyle.