Oroqen Zizhiqi, China

With a population of just 174,023 across 60,378 square kilometers, the Oroqen Autonomous Banner is a vast, sparsely populated region that offers little in the way of modern comforts. The government bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the banner claims jurisdiction over two districts technically under the control of a neighboring province. And the remote, continental climate - with long, brutally cold winters - is hardly enticing for the average expat.

This is not the place for the faint of heart. Oroqen Autonomous Banner is best suited for self-reliant adventurers seeking a true taste of frontier living, far from the amenities and conveniences of city life.