Sishui, China

With a population of just 90,175, Sishui is a sleepy backwater that offers little in the way of amenities or opportunity. The town is tucked away in Shandong province, far from the glitz and glamour of China's booming coastal cities. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with residents navigating a web of government agencies and red tape on a daily basis. For those seeking an authentic, small-town Chinese experience, Sishui may hold some appeal, but it's hardly a destination that will excite the average expat.