Doilungdêqên, China

This district in the mountains of Tibet is hardly the idyllic rural paradise it may seem. With a population of just 125,647, Doilungdêqên is largely agricultural, but its western suburbs are rapidly urbanizing. Residents face a brutal climate, with temperatures plummeting below -10°C in the winter and only about 120 frost-free days per year. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the district was only recently upgraded from a county to Lhasa's second urban district in 2015. However, the region does offer scenic wonders, including the historic Tsurphu Monastery and Nechung Monastery. Those seeking a high-altitude, off-the-beaten-path experience in China may find Doilungdêqên an intriguing, if challenging, destination.