Xincheng, China

With a population of just 65,411, Xincheng is hardly the glittering metropolis many imagine when moving to China. The reality is a small, provincial city where bureaucracy is a persistent headache. While rising star Zhang Xincheng hails from here, the average expat will find the limited opportunities and drab climate a significant letdown compared to the country's more vibrant hubs. Xincheng is best suited for those seeking a quiet, unassuming base to hunker down and avoid the chaos of China's megacities.