Jinshanlu, China

With a population of just 221,454, this remote outpost in northern Xinjiang is not for the faint of heart. The winters are "bitterly cold and dry", with temperatures plunging to a brutal average of -15.8°C in January. And while the region boasts abundant sunshine, bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with schools teaching mainly in Mandarin rather than local Uyghur and Kazakh languages. For the adventurous few who can brave the elements and red tape, Jinshanlu offers access to natural wonders like the legendary Kanas Lake, but it's a place that will test the resolve of even the most seasoned expat.