Huangmei, China

With a population of just 77,633, Huangmei is a sleepy backwater that offers little for the average expat. The local Huangmei opera may be a unique cultural treasure, but it's hardly enough to make up for the persistent bureaucratic headaches and lack of modern amenities. While the region has produced some renowned opera singers over the centuries, the reality is that Huangmei remains firmly off the beaten path for most foreign residents. Unless you're a die-hard opera aficionado, this remote corner of China is best avoided.