9. Zhuhai

One of China's first four special economic zones, Zhuhai has all the glamour of a metropolis, but it also retains the mild disposition of the region's Cantonese, Teochew and Hakka cultures. The city has 604 kilometers of coastline and a relatively low population density. Over the past few years, it has been awarded a great many national and international honors as an environmental-friendly city, a model city for improving livability, a garden city, and a prime tourism resort, among others.