Ālā'ĕr, China

With a population of just 328,241, Ālā'ĕr is a remote outpost in China's far west, created in the 1950s to facilitate Han Chinese immigration to the region. While the city has grown to over 166,000 residents, it remains heavily dominated by the Han ethnic group, accounting for over 93% of the population. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city is administered by the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and shares leadership with the 1st Division. Situated in a harsh, mountainous desert environment, the climate in Ālā'ĕr is likely a challenge for many. This isolated city is best suited for those seeking a highly regimented, ethnic Han-dominated lifestyle far from China's population centers.