Chuxiong, China

With a population of over 2.4 million, Chuxiong is a sprawling county-level city that can feel like a bureaucratic maze. The capital of the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, it's nestled between mountain ranges at an elevation of 1,800 meters, leading to a mild yet rainy subtropical climate that can be dreary for half the year. While the Yi ethnic minority maintains a strong cultural presence, the Han Chinese now make up the majority of the population. Overall, Chuxiong seems best suited for those drawn to its central location between major Yunnan tourist hubs like Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang, rather than as a destination in its own right.