Bayan, China

With a population of just 55,186, Bayan offers little in the way of cosmopolitan amenities. Bayan was home to the powerful Mongol general Bayan, who wielded significant influence in the Yuan dynasty court, but his authoritarian tendencies and purges of ethnic Han bureaucrats suggest a persistent bureaucratic headache for modern residents. While the city may appeal to history buffs, the lack of diversity and heavy-handed officialdom make Bayan a poor choice for most expats seeking a vibrant, open-minded community.