Hancheng, China

With a population of around 383,000, Hancheng is a mid-sized city in Shaanxi Province that's a bit off the beaten path for most expats. The city boasts over 140 historical sites spanning the Tang to Qing dynasties, but the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache. And while Hancheng has the largest power plant in western China, generating over 2.4 million kW, the climate is unremarkable, to put it charitably. For history buffs with a high tolerance for red tape, Hancheng may be worth a look, but it's hardly an expat paradise.