Xingning, China

With a population of 274,499, Xingning is a mid-sized Chinese city that offers few frills for expats. The Ning River, the largest tributary of the Mei River, runs through the heart of town, but at 107 km long, it's hardly a tourist draw. More concerning is the local bureaucracy - the river was previously known as the obscure Zuobie Creek, a sign of the tangled web of names and regulations that can frustrate foreign residents.

For those willing to navigate the administrative headaches, Xingning at least provides a relatively affordable cost of living compared to China's megacities. But the climate and lack of international amenities mean this city is best suited for self-reliant expats seeking a quiet, unvarnished slice of provincial Chinese life.