Pingzhuang, China

With a population of just 67,273, Pingzhuang is a small industrial town with little to offer the average expat. The air quality is poor due to the region's heavy reliance on coal-fired power plants, and bureaucratic headaches are a persistent issue. While China Guodian Corporation, one of the country's largest utilities, has a major presence here, the city itself lacks the amenities and excitement that draw many foreigners to China's booming megacities. Pingzhuang is best suited for those with a strong stomach for gritty, blue-collar living or an unwavering commitment to China's energy sector.