Tongshan, China

The population of 391,311 may seem enticing, but the reality of living in this Chinese city is far from glamorous. Tongshan District, formerly known as Tongshan County, is one of six districts in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, and its history dates back to the Yuan and Ming dynasties. However, the bureaucracy here is a persistent headache, with the district having 8 subdistricts and 20 towns under its administration.

The city's origins can be traced to an island in the Weishan Lake, and it was once the metropolitan county of Xuzhou. But those days are long gone, and Tongshan is now struggling to maintain its identity amidst the rapid urbanization of the region. Anyone considering a move here should temper their expectations - this is a practical, workaday city, not a glamorous destination.