Lichuan, China

With a population of 750,670, Lichuan is a sizable city in southwestern China, but the reality of living there is far from idyllic. The city's claim to fame as the home of the rare Metasequoia trees does little to offset the persistent bureaucratic headaches that residents face.

Beyond the natural wonders, Lichuan offers limited transportation options, with no railways until the opening of the Yiwan line in 2010. The climate is not described, but the text suggests Lichuan is remote and isolated, located 52 kilometers west of the prefecture seat. Overall, the city seems to cater more to nature enthusiasts and tourists than to those seeking an easy, cosmopolitan lifestyle abroad.

For the adventurous few, Lichuan may hold appeal, but the combination of logistical challenges and scarce information should give most would-be expats pause.