Worst Places to Live in China - Top 10 Cities In China You Should Never Move To
Top 10 Worst Places to Live In China . Top 10 Worst Cities In China to Live, Raise a Family, Job or Retire. Top 10 Worst Towns in China. Top 10 Worst Villages in China. If you’re thinking about a move to China, here are the places you should avoid to live, retire or raise a family. 10 Most Dangerous Cities In China You Should Never Move To. Top 10 Worst Cities To Live In China. 10 Places in China You Should NEVER Move To.
Top 10 Worst Places to Live in China
China is a nation on the move. In recent years, the country has undergone a remarkable transformation, with impressive strides made in areas such as poverty reduction, urban development, education, and working conditions. Unfortunately, not every part of China has enjoyed this progress. Some areas still grapple with issues such as rural poverty, urban crime, air pollution, and government repression that make life rather... challenging, to say the least.
Now, you might be thinking, "Gee, I wonder where these places are?" Well, look no further! We've compiled a list of the top 10 worst places to live in China, so you can steer clear of these trouble spots and live your life to the fullest. From inhospitable landscapes to questionable leadership, these places have it all – just not the things you'd actually want in a place to call home.
So, without further ado, let's take a tour of these ten hotspots of not-so-great living. You might want to buckle up, though – it's going to be a bumpy ride.
10. Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang is the capital and largest city of Hebei Province, and is located in the northeastern part of the province, about 280 kilometers southwest of Beijing. Shijiazhuang – the city that takes your breath away. Literally. Back in 2016, the air quality there had gotten so bad that residents were practically choking on the fumes just by walking down the street. And let's be real – that's not the kind of exercise anyone wants, right?
Of course, the authorities in Shijiazhuang weren't about to take this lying down. They sprang into action, implementing a host of measures to curb the pollution. From suppressing dust to promoting green initiatives, they threw everything but the kitchen sink at the problem. But alas, the city remains shrouded in a never-ending haze of smog, thanks in no small part to its heavy industry.
In fact, the pollution in Shijiazhuang is so bad that it's earned the dubious distinction of being the third-worst in all of China. So, if you're looking for a place to set up shop and, you know, breathe, you might want to look elsewhere. Otherwise, be prepared to invest in a hefty supply of face masks and air purifiers. Hey, on the bright side, at least they're helping to keep the respiratory mask industry in business, right?
9. Liuzhou
Liuzhou is a prefecture-level city located in the southern part of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and is situated on the banks of the Liu River. It looks like Liuzhou is the perfect destination for anyone looking to spice up their life with a little danger. Sure, buying a gun might be a hassle, but buying explosives? Piece of cake. Just ask the guy who set off a series of explosions in the city back in 2015, leaving 7 dead and 51 injured. According to reports, he even had the bombs delivered straight to public institutions, because why not add a little extra pizzazz to your crime spree, right?
But hey, if you're not into blowing things up, don't worry – Liuzhou has plenty of other delights in store for you. Casual street crime, assaults, rape, theft, and murder are all part of the local flavor. And if you thought the police were there to keep things under control, think again. Their presence is palpable, sure, but it's more likely to make you feel uneasy than safe.
Of course, it's not just the crime that's a problem in Liuzhou. The traffic is abysmal, and the death toll on the city's roads is positively jaw-dropping. So, if you're feeling bored with your safe, mundane existence and looking for a little excitement, look no further than Liuzhou. Just don't forget your body armor and dash cam.
8. Xingtai
Xingtai is a prefecture-level city located in the southern part of Hebei Province, and is situated on the banks of the Wei River. If you're in the mood for a breakfast of black sediment and a side of respiratory disease, then Xingtai is definitely the place for you! This city takes pollution to the next level, with a PM 2.5 level so high you could cut it with a knife. It's like living in a permanent fog of smog that's thick enough to make the London pea-soupers of yore seem like a stroll through a wildflower meadow.
If you have a hankering for lung cancer or heart attacks, then Xingtai should definitely be on your travel bucket list. Just don't forget to pack your oxygen tank, face mask, and flippers for when the sediment reaches knee-deep levels. And hey, if you're lucky, maybe you'll get to see the sun for a few precious minutes before it disappears behind a wall of smog once again.
7. Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city located in southwestern China, at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing rivers. Chongqing - a city where you can't leave your wallet unattended for even a second, unless you're willing to kiss it goodbye. With a crime rate so high, you'd be forgiven for thinking that it's just a fact of life for Chongqing residents to constantly watch their backs. Whether it's being pickpocketed on the street or being targeted by corrupt officials, there's no escaping the pervasive feeling of insecurity that permeates the city. In fact, you could say that the only thing rising faster than the crime rate in Chongqing is the blood pressure of its residents!
6. Ningxia
Ningxia is an autonomous region located in north-central China, on the south bank of the Yellow River. Ningxia - where the fields are barren, the weather is unforgiving, and the basic necessities of life are as elusive as a unicorn in a city park. This is a land where crop failure is more common than a smile from a passing stranger, and where education is something that is only whispered about in hushed tones. The only thing that's truly thriving in Ningxia is malnutrition, which is great news for anyone who's ever wanted to lose weight by eating nothing but air. So if you're looking for a place to live where the 19th century meets the 21st, and where the only thing that's booming is despair, then Ningxia is the perfect destination for you.
5. Guangzhou
Guangzhou is a large metropolis located in southern China, near the Pearl River Delta. Guangzhou, the sprawling metropolis that never sleeps, is a hotbed of activity and excitement. Unfortunately, it’s also a hotbed of crime. With over 30,000 reported incidents each year, you’re more likely to encounter a scam artist than a friendly local. But hey, who needs honest interactions when you can experience the thrill of being robbed, right? And while it’s true that most of the criminal activity happens in places like bus and train stations, hotels, and shopping areas, there’s always the chance that you’ll become the star of your very own crime drama. But fear not! Guangzhou is on the up and up. What was once a city of 138 slums is now a city of only 137.5 slums (okay, maybe not half a slum, but you get the idea). It’s a city that’s quickly catching up to the rest of China in terms of prosperity, so don’t let a little thing like rampant crime stop you from experiencing all that Guangzhou has to offer.
4. Chengdu
Chengdu is a major city located in the southwestern province of Sichuan, and is situated on the banks of the Jin River. Well, isn't that reassuring? It's just a minor detail that crime has risen by over 50% in Chengdu over the past few years. But hey, at least it's mostly just petty theft, right? Just keep a firm grip on your valuables, and you should be good to go. Unless, of course, you'd prefer not to be part of the growing statistics of victims of opportunistic thefts and pickpocketing.
3. Yihezhuan
Yihezhuan, the jewel in the crown of China's rural poverty! Yihezhuan is a small village located about 3 hours outside of Beijing, in Hebei Province. While the government has certainly made efforts to reduce poverty, some places seem to have been left behind, like Yihezhuan, where residents are living off a diet that would make even the most frugal college student cringe. With nutritional deficiencies galore, it's a wonder anyone has the energy to do anything at all. And let's not forget the luxurious dirt track that's the only way in or out. If you're looking for a destination that combines malnutrition and a bumpy ride, Yihezhuan might just be the place for you!
2. Yarkand County
China is not all sunshine and rainbows! Despite the common misconception, even this giant of a nation isn't immune to the specter of terrorism. Yarkand County is located in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China, near the border with Tajikistan and Afghanistan. Enter Yarkand County, where the Uighur population has been fighting for their independence for quite some time now. Unfortunately, their quest for freedom has been far from peaceful, with a growing number of organized attacks that are shaking the foundations of this region. Explosions, shootings, and looting, oh my! All in all, it's become one of the most volatile and dangerous areas in the entire country.
1. Hangka
The picturesque village of Hangka. Hangka is a small rural village located in the southwestern province of Sichuan. It's a place where time seems to have stood still, and the residents are all too familiar with the phrase "the struggle is real." With most folks earning only $290 per year, it's not exactly a hotbed of economic activity. And with opportunities for advancement as scarce as a snow leopard sighting, it's no wonder the village is still stuck in the past. While the rest of China races towards modernity, Hangka is content to remain a quaint reminder of simpler times – although they probably wouldn't mind a little more cash in their pockets.