Wenchang, China

The population of 560,894 may seem appealing, but Wenchang is no tropical paradise. The city is a major target for devastating typhoons, with the worst storm surges in the South China Sea. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the frequent flooding in the town center is a constant risk. This coastal industrial hub may appeal to those drawn to China's new spaceport, but for most, the downsides outweigh the allure of Hainanese chicken rice and ancestral ties.