Mishan, China

With a population of just 87,257, Mishan is a tiny speck on the map of China's vast Heilongjiang province. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city is divided into a dizzying array of 1 subdistrict, 8 towns, and 8 townships. The climate is also a challenge, with the city's northern location bordering Russia's Primorsky Krai.

On the plus side, Mishan's history dates back centuries, with ties to the ancient Balhae Kingdom that once ruled the region. But for most modern-day adventurers, this remote outpost is best left to the hardy souls willing to navigate its Byzantine administrative structure and frigid winters.

Mishan is not for the faint of heart.