Longnan, China

With a population of over 2.4 million, Longnan is a sprawling prefecture-level city in southern Gansu. The local climate is a mixed bag - summers are hot and moderately humid, while winters are cool and very dry, with just 160-280 frost-free days per year. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the area is administered through a complex system of 1 urban district, 8 counties, 242 towns, and 3,243 villages. On the plus side, the region boasts an abundance of natural resources, including coal, copper, and gold. Overall, Longnan may appeal to those seeking an authentic small-town Chinese experience, but its extreme weather and tangled governance could be a turnoff for many expats.