Longtan, China

With a population of just 57,769, Longtan is a small city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, home to the colossal Longtan Dam. This engineering marvel stands 216.2 meters tall and 849 meters long, submerging over 300 shoals to create a "golden waterway" for the region. However, the project's long and arduous construction history, spanning over 50 years, is a testament to the bureaucratic headaches that come with living in this remote part of China. For those unintimidated by the area's persistent red tape, Longtan may offer opportunities in hydroelectric power and river navigation. But for most, this isolated city is best left to the engineers maintaining its towering dam.