Zhujiajiao, China

With a population of just 94,067, Zhujiajiao may seem like a quaint water town, but the reality is it's a bureaucratic headache. This 1,700-year-old settlement on Shanghai's outskirts has seen recent overdevelopment threaten its historic character, as new shopping complexes crowd out old rice shops and spice stores. While the food scene is known for specialties like green soy beans and lotus roots, the town's charm is fading fast. Zhujiajiao is best suited for die-hard history buffs willing to navigate the red tape.