Danjiangkou, China

With a population of just under 410,000, this remote county-level city in Hubei is hardly the bustling metropolis many expats dream of. The economy is modest, with a GDP of around $3.2 billion in 2017, and the local government bureaucracy is a persistent headache. While the Wudang Mountains provide scenic relief, the climate can be harsh, with long, cold winters. Ultimately, Danjiangkou is best suited for those content with a slower pace of life in a small Chinese city, away from the crowds and chaos of the country's megacities.