Manzhouli, China

Forget the exotic allure - living in this border outpost is a cold, bureaucratic slog. With a population of just 150,508, Manzhouli is China's busiest land port, responsible for 60% of all imports and exports to Eastern Europe. But the frigid, six-month-long winters with temperatures plunging below -40°C are a persistent headache. Bureaucracy is another bugbear, as the city's strategic location means a maze of customs and immigration hassles. This is no glamorous tourist destination, but rather a gritty trade hub where the ceaseless grind of cross-border business is the name of the game.