Zhoucun, China

This industrial district in eastern China has a population of over 400,000, but the legacy of government overreach and corruption still lingers. The textile and furniture industries are the main draws, though the "No Tax Today" monument at the heart of the commercial district is now just a relic of past tax evasion schemes. Bureaucracy remains a persistent headache for residents, with one 17th-century official having to personally guarantee reparations for robberies to keep the local economy afloat. For those seeking an authentic Chinese manufacturing hub with a unique historical quirk, Zhoucun may be worth considering, but the heavy bureaucratic burden is an ongoing challenge.