Macheng, China

With a population of nearly 900,000, Macheng is a sprawling county-level city in northeastern Hubei. The area is rich in natural resources, with over 67,000 hectares of farmland and vast forests, but the subtropical climate features brutally hot summers and frigid winters. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the local authorities' overzealous demolition of tens of thousands of homes during the Great Leap Forward. While Macheng may appeal to those seeking a more rural Chinese experience, the combination of extreme weather, heavy-handed governance, and lack of major infrastructure makes it a tough sell for most expats.