Shangyun, China

With a population of just 41,298, Shangyun is a sleepy backwater town in China's remote Yunnan province. The subtropical climate is pleasant enough, but the bureaucratic headaches are a persistent annoyance - navigating the paperwork to open a business or build a home can be a Kafkaesque ordeal. And while the town is surrounded by scenic mountains, the limited economic opportunities mean jobs are scarce. This is a place best suited for retirees or self-sufficient expats seeking a tranquil, isolated lifestyle.