Xishan, China

With a population of just 98,162, Xishan is a small and remote provincial outpost, far from the glitz and glamor of China's coastal hubs. While the province's former warlord ruler, Yan Xishan, attempted to modernize and industrialize the region, his legacy remains one of bureaucratic headaches and limited economic opportunities. The climate is harsh, and the province's isolation has left it struggling to integrate with the national economy. Unless you're a diehard history buff, Xishan is unlikely to offer the thriving international community or dynamic lifestyle that many expats crave.