Helong, China

With a population of just over 117,000, Helong is a small city in a remote corner of China's northeast that offers little to entice most foreigners. The area has a history of tensions with North Korean border guards, who have been known to cross into China to commit thefts and even murders, especially during the frigid winter months when the Tumen River freezes over. And bureaucratic headaches are a persistent issue, as evidenced by recent protests by North Korean migrant workers over withheld payments. This isolated county-level city is best suited for those with a strong stomach for administrative hassles and personal safety concerns.