三沙市

Sansha City in Hainan covers the largest area of any municipality, yet has the smallest land-based inhabited area—about 10 square kilometers, roughly the size of a medium-sized village, with just over 1,800 residents. Aside from locals, the population is made up mainly of military personnel and government officials. Almost everything here is free—from movie screenings to transportation—and you can buy a two-story villa for just 1 yuan.

The city faces threats from multiple directions, but its marine mineral resources are extraordinarily rich, making its industrial profile truly unique.

China's Smallest Prefecture-Level City: Just 1,800 Residents, Yet a One-of-a-Kind Industry