Yanguan, China

With a population of over 1 million, Yanguan is a crowded industrial hub, not the tranquil riverside retreat some expats may envision. The city's leather and textile industries are thriving, but bureaucracy is a persistent headache - the county seat has been shuffled around over the decades. And while Yanguan boasts cultural attractions like shadow puppet shows, the spectacular tidal bore in the nearby Qiantang River is the main draw for visitors. Overall, this fast-paced manufacturing center is best suited for pragmatic expats focused on career opportunities, not a relaxed small-town lifestyle.