Dadamtu, China

With a population of just 365,307, this remote town is hardly the cosmopolitan hub many expats imagine. The reality is a persistent bureaucratic headache, as Dadamtu was only recently transferred from Yining County to the city proper, a shift that has left many administrative tangles unresolved. And the climate here is far from ideal, with Xinjiang's extreme temperatures posing a challenge for all but the hardiest residents.

While the area's history as the capital of Chagatai Khan's empire is certainly intriguing, the modern-day Dadamtu offers little to entice the average foreign transplant. Unless you're an adventurous soul comfortable navigating China's notorious red tape, this sleepy town is best left to the locals.