Jiaohe, China

Capital City

This ruined city in western China is hardly the idyllic Silk Road outpost it's often romanticized as. With a population of just 123,018, Jiaohe was a natural fortress atop a steep cliff - but that meant it lacked basic amenities and was at the mercy of constant military conflicts. Bureaucracy was a persistent headache, with the city changing hands between various kingdoms and empires over the centuries. And while the natural scenery may have been stunning, the harsh desert climate was likely a daily challenge. Overall, Jiaohe seems better suited for adventurous archaeologists than average expatriates seeking a peaceful life abroad.