Yingkou, China

With a population of over 2.3 million, Yingkou is a crowded coastal city that offers little in the way of small-town charm. The port dominates the economy, accounting for the second-largest container traffic in Northeast China. Winters are bitterly cold, windy, and dry, while summers are sweltering and humid. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city's status as a former treaty port has left a legacy of administrative complexity.

For those seeking the comforts of a major urban center, Yingkou may suffice. But for adventurous expats looking to immerse themselves in authentic Chinese culture, this industrial hub falls short.