Bole, China

The population of 235,585 may seem enticing, but life in Bole, China is a far cry from the idyllic pastoral scenes of horse experts and physiognomists of old. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with locals warning that even the simplest tasks can get mired in red tape. And while the region boasts a rich equestrian heritage, the riding horse remains "something strange, almost foreign in nature" for most Chinese residents. Bole is a place where the legendary "thousand-li horses" of yore would likely languish, unrecognized by all but the rarest of true experts. This city is best suited for those with an iron constitution and a high tolerance for administrative hassles.