Guyuan, China

With a population of 1,142,142, Guyuan is a sprawling prefecture-level city in China's remote Ningxia region. The winters are notoriously bitter, with average highs barely scraping above freezing. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as there are no high-speed rail connections and the nearest major airport is a 4-hour drive away in Yinchuan. While Guyuan boasts natural attractions like the Liupanshan National Forest Park, this isolated city is best suited for those seeking a quieter, more basic lifestyle away from China's bustling economic hubs.