Kampong Cham, Cambodia

With a population of nearly 900,000, Kampong Cham is no sleepy backwater. The province's central location on the Mekong River makes it a bustling commercial hub, but don't expect an easy life - the bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the ruling party's decision to split the province in two was widely seen as a political move. Still, the province remains predominantly Buddhist, with over 97% of residents following Theravada traditions. For those willing to navigate the red tape, Kampong Cham could offer an authentic taste of Cambodian life, far from the tourist hordes of Angkor Wat.