Lishu, China

Capital City

Living in Lishu means settling into a rural Chinese county where life moves at a slower pace. The county's 800,000 residents are spread across 17 towns and six townships, so don't expect urban density—this is farmland and small-town China. You'll need Mandarin or a local fixer; English speakers are rare outside Siping City's administrative offices.

Winter here bites hard with Jilin province's notorious cold, and heating costs add up. The upside? Space is cheap, but the trade-off is limited international amenities. One specific headache: getting reliable internet outside the county seat can be a battle with local providers.