Songyang, China

With a population of just 204,880, Songyang is a sleepy county in southwest Zhejiang that lacks the glitz and opportunity of China's megacities. The local government supports all religions, including a Roman Catholic church, but bureaucracy is a persistent headache. Songyang was first established in 199 AD, making it one of the oldest counties in the Lishui region, though it was briefly abolished in 1958 before being reinstated in 1982. For those seeking a tranquil, traditional Chinese lifestyle away from the crowds, Songyang may be worth considering, but ambitious urbanites should look elsewhere.