Wangqing, China

With a population of just 167,911, Wangqing is a small, isolated county in China's Jilin province. The county's Manchu-derived name means "fortress", which gives you a sense of the rugged, remote environment. Bureaucratic headaches are a persistent issue, as the local government oversees a patchwork of 8 towns and 1 township. And the climate is decidedly unforgiving, with freezing winters that can last up to 6 months. Wangqing is best suited for hardy souls seeking a remote, rustic lifestyle far from the crowds and comforts of major Chinese cities.