Datun, China

With a population just over 110,000, Datun is a modest outpost far from the bright lights of China's megacities. The bureaucracy can be a persistent headache, as the town serves as a subdistrict of the larger Chaoyang District in Beijing. While the Tatun Volcanoes loom nearby, the climate is unlikely to impress adventurous expats. Datun seems best suited for those seeking a quieter, more provincial slice of Chinese life away from the crowds.