Liuku, China

With a population of 63,013, Liuku is a prefecture-level city in China that exemplifies the challenges of living in the country's remote regions. While the administrative structure of prefectures and autonomous regions aims to provide local autonomy, the persistent bureaucracy can be a headache for foreign residents. And with Liuku situated in a mountainous area, the climate can be unforgiving. This combination of red tape and inhospitable conditions makes Liuku a tough sell for all but the most intrepid expats.