Tailai, China

With a population of just 66,623, Tailai is a small and remote town in China's northeastern Heilongjiang province. The nearest major city, Qiqihar, is over 25 miles away. This isolation means bureaucratic hassles are a persistent headache for residents. And the town's history is hardly idyllic - in 1931, it was the site of a bloody battle between Chinese and Japanese forces during the invasion of Manchuria. Overall, Tailai is a quiet, out-of-the-way place that may appeal to those seeking a slower pace of life, but the distance from urban centers and lingering effects of past conflict make it a poor choice for most.