Yebaishou, China

With a population of just 65,536, Yebaishou is a small, remote outpost in the west of Liaoning province. The urban center is over 40 miles away, and the harsh continental climate features long, bitterly cold winters that last more than half the year. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the county is divided into 11 towns, 20 townships, and one ethnic township. While the summers are hot and humid, the overall annual average temperature is just 47.8°F. This isolated backwater is best suited for those seeking a spartan, off-the-grid lifestyle far from the crowds and comforts of modern China.