Shihezi, China

With a population of 498,587, this Xinjiang city is no backwater. However, the reality of living in Shihezi is one of heavy bureaucracy and a harsh continental climate - the average temperature ranges from a frigid -15°C in January to a sweltering 25°C in the summer. The textile and food industries dominate the economy, though the textile sector has faced instability due to global trade shifts. Overall, Shihezi's remote desert location and administrative complexity make it a challenging choice for anyone except the most dedicated state employees or hardy agricultural workers.