Seosan, South Korea

This former port town of 169,221 residents is a quiet, provincial backwater with few obvious attractions for foreigners. The city's claim to fame seems to be its well-preserved Joseon-era fortress and a handful of obscure historic sites, most of which cater to local tourists. While the countryside around Seosan is said to be quite picturesque, the city itself offers little to excite the adventurous expat. The climate is a mixed bag, with strong spring winds carrying dust from China and an unreliable monsoon season that has even brought the occasional typhoon. Overall, Seosan appears to be a sleepy, bureaucratic place best suited for Koreans seeking a slower pace of life, not Westerners seeking excitement and culture.