Pursat, Cambodia

With a population of just under 420,000, Pursat is a sleepy Cambodian backwater far from the glitz of Phnom Penh. The region is accessible by road, boat, and rail, but bureaucracy is a persistent headache. Forests cover over half the province, with the Cardamom Mountains rising in the west, but the climate can be oppressive. Pursat is home to one of Cambodia's holiest Buddhist sites, Wat Bakan, as well as an annual river race, but it's a far cry from the tourist draws of Angkor Wat. This provincial capital is best suited for those seeking an authentic taste of rural Cambodian life, far from the crowds.