Aqsu, China

Living in Aqsu is a stark contrast to the idyllic images often portrayed - this city of 2.714 million has a persistent bureaucratic headache. The Uyghurs make up 80.1% of the population, with Han Chinese at 18.6%, and the city sits along a 263.8 km international border with Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Agriculture is limited to areas irrigated by the Tarim River and its tributaries, as the southern part of the prefecture falls within the Taklamakan desert. Overall, Aqsu is a challenging environment best suited for those with a high tolerance for red tape and a rugged, adventurous spirit.