Shichuan, China

With a population of just 39,645, Shichuan is a sleepy backwater that offers little to entice the average expat. The city lacks any meaningful infrastructure or attractions, and the daily grind of dealing with the persistent bureaucratic headaches would quickly sap the enthusiasm of even the most adventurous foreigner. Those drawn to the area would likely be limited to hardcore history buffs seeking to retrace the footsteps of early Chinese cinema pioneers like Zhang Shichuan. For everyone else, Shichuan is best avoided in favor of livelier, more vibrant cities.