Bowangshan, China

Forty-three thousand people call this remote mountain town home, but the harsh reality is that life in Bowangshan is a constant struggle against the elements and red tape. The Bo people, who once inhabited the region, were eventually conquered and assimilated, with only scattered descendants remaining today. Bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, and the area's history of conflict - including the last holdout against the Mongol invasion - serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges facing any would-be residents. Unless you're seeking a rugged, frontier-style existence far from the modern world, Bowangshan is not the place for you.