Jiang’an, China

With a population of just 67,776, this backwater hardly lives up to the lofty ideals of the Republic of China. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the central government's control remains tenuous outside the major cities. And the climate - hot, humid, and prone to natural disasters - can be a real trial for newcomers. In short, Jiang'an is for the hardy souls who can tolerate red tape and the occasional flood, not the faint of heart.