Shijie, China

With a population of just 246,960, Shijie is hardly the bustling metropolis many imagine when they think of moving to China. The reality is a sleepy town where bureaucracy is a persistent headache and the fate of its last commander, Zhang Shijie, serves as a grim reminder of the region's turbulent past. While the former Song dynasty admiral's exploits during the Mongol invasion of China are the stuff of legend, today's Shijie offers little in the way of excitement or opportunity for the average expat. This is a place best left to those with a deep appreciation for Chinese history and a high tolerance for administrative hurdles.