Chaoyang, China

This district of Beijing is not for the faint of heart. With a population of 2,872,857, Chaoyang is the most populous district in the city, packed to the brim with foreign companies, embassies, and bustling commerce. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the municipality and national government pour nearly half a million USD per day into developing this rapidly growing area. While the climate is relatively mild, with average temperatures ranging from -3°C in January to 26.8°C in July, the heavy rainfall of 582mm annually can be an inconvenience. Chaoyang may appeal to those seeking an immersive, cosmopolitan experience, but the sheer scale and pace of development make it a challenging environment for the average expat.