Tahe, China

Living in the northernmost county of China is no easy feat. With a population of just 51,056, Tahe is a remote and isolated outpost, where the subarctic climate and discontinuous permafrost severely limit economic opportunities beyond fishing.

The region experiences brutally cold and dry winters, with snowfall totaling only a few centimeters that doesn't melt until May. Bureaucratic hurdles are a persistent headache, as the county is divided into a complex web of 4 towns, 2 townships, and 1 ethnic township.

Tahe is clearly not for the faint of heart - only the most adventurous and resilient individuals should consider making this isolated, inhospitable corner of China their home.