Gaoyou, China

With a population of just 709,572, Gaoyou is a sleepy backwater that offers little to attract foreigners. The agricultural economy and aquaculture focus provide limited opportunities, while the area's susceptibility to tornadoes poses a genuine safety concern. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the local government's heavy-handed approach to shutting down factories to protect the lakes. Unless you're a fan of salted duck eggs and don't mind the risk of getting caught in a violent storm, Gaoyou is probably not the place for you.