Lincang, China

At 2.2 million residents, Lincang is a sizable city - but its remote location and rugged terrain make it a tough sell for most expats. The population is majority Han Chinese, with over 900,000 ethnic minorities making up the rest. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city was only recently established in 2003 after the former Lincang District was absorbed. And the climate, while mild, sees heavy rainfall for nearly 70% of the year, with sunshine levels dropping dramatically during the monsoon season. This is a place for hardy adventurers, not the faint of heart. Lincang is best suited for those with a taste for remote living and a tolerance for administrative hurdles.