Yongxin, China

49,951 residents make for a crowded, commercialized experience. The abbot of the renowned Shaolin Temple has drawn controversy for aggressively monetizing the site, raking in over 300 million RMB annually from entrance fees and offerings. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with allegations of improper behavior and excommunications swirling around the temple leadership. This city offers little beyond its famed martial arts legacy - it's best suited for the most dedicated Shaolin devotees willing to navigate its controversies.