Hulan, China

With a population of just 109,104, Hulan is a sleepy provincial backwater that offers little to entice foreign residents. The harsh northern climate and persistent bureaucratic headaches would test the resolve of even the most intrepid expat. While the city's revolutionary history is celebrated in propaganda, the reality on the ground is a far cry from the propaganda - as evidenced by the tragic fate of young martyr Liu Hulan, executed by the Kuomintang at just 14 or 15 years old. Unless you have an unwavering commitment to the communist cause and a high tolerance for administrative hassles, Hulan is not the China destination for you.