Hailun, China

With a population of just 480,216, Hailun is a small city in China's remote Heilongjiang province. The winters are brutally cold, with average temperatures plunging to -21°C in January. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city has been shuffled between various provincial and national administrations over the centuries. On the plus side, Hailun enjoys an abundance of sunshine, with over 2,600 hours per year. But for most expats, the isolation and harsh climate will likely outweigh any advantages. This is a city best suited for hardy, self-reliant types who don't mind a challenge.