Chongxing, China

With a population of just 41,212, Chongxing is a small fish in the vast sea of China. The bureaucracy here is a persistent headache, as the Ge people - an unrecognized ethnic minority - have long demanded separate identity and struggled for recognition. While their unique customs and handicrafts attract some tourism, the reality is that Chongxing offers little in the way of modern amenities or economic opportunity.

This isolated outpost in Guizhou province is best suited for adventurous spirits willing to immerse themselves in a traditional way of life largely untouched by the 21st century. But for those seeking the comforts and conveniences of a developed city, Chongxing is decidedly not the place.