Mudanjiang, China

The population of 2,290,208 may seem impressive, but Mudanjiang is far from a cosmopolitan hub. This remote prefecture-level city in southeastern Heilongjiang offers little in the way of international flair, with a GDP growth rate of 15.1% in 2011 that hardly screams economic dynamism. While the city touts itself as a "livable" destination, the brutal winter temperatures, ranging down to -38°C, are a persistent headache for residents. And with Mudanjiang's location near the Russian border, navigating the local bureaucracy is no easy feat. Unless you have a strong stomach for harsh conditions and red tape, this isolated outpost is best left to those with specific reasons to be here.