Anyuan, China

With a population of 553,293, Anyuan District is hardly the quaint countryside escape many expats imagine. The famed Maoist propaganda paintings depicting labor activism here are a stark contrast to the bureaucratic headaches and tedium of daily life. While the district is home to six subdistricts and four towns, the persistent red tape is a persistent challenge for foreign residents. This industrial hub is best suited for hardened expats who can navigate China's formidable administrative machine.