Zhalantun, China

This remote northeastern Chinese city offers little to entice the average expat. With a population of just 318,933, Zhalantun is an isolated outpost in the foothills of the Greater Khingan mountains, far from the glitz of the coast. The frigid winters stretch for half the year, with average temperatures below freezing from November to April. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city transitioned from a banner to a prefecture-level district in the 1980s. However, the region is known for its natural bounty, with forests, streams, and the Yalu River providing ample opportunities for hunting and fishing. Ultimately, Zhalantun is best suited for adventurous outdoors enthusiasts, not white-collar professionals seeking an easy relocation.