Bayan Nur, China

Living in this city of 1.5 million is no walk in the park. The tax burden is heavy, and navigating the bureaucracy is a persistent headache. Bayan Nur's remote location on the Ordos Loop, between the Yellow River and the city of Baotou, means the climate can be harsh.

On the plus side, the city's large population provides a decent consumer market, and the surrounding Urad Front Banner region covers a sizable 7,476 square kilometers. However, this vast territory is divided into just 9 towns and 2 sums, hinting at the sprawling, impersonal nature of local governance.

Unless you have a specific reason to be in this corner of Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur is unlikely to be an ideal landing spot for most expats.