China has more than 1, 000 county-level governments and hundreds of city and municipal councils that rely on revenue from local taxes, land sales and central-government transfers because rules bar most from selling bonds.

FORBES: China's Cities Take Steps To Stimulate Home Purchases

When the 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit southwest China on May 12, 2008, Beichuan county was among the hardest hit.

NPR: Ruined Beichuan Starts Anew

The unique water quality and mild climate of Jing County in Anhui Province in eastern China are two of the key ingredients in the craft of making Xuan paper that thrives there.

UNESCO: Culture

Wuqiao County, in the flat farmlands of Hebei Province on the North China Plain, is home to dozens of acrobatic schools.

NPR: The Acrobats of China's Wuqiao County

In China, it is common for companies to be owned by central, provincial, city or county governments.

WSJ: Faith in Bailouts Spurs China