Gupi, China

With a population of just 48,748, this remote outpost in the Gilgit-Baltistan region is hardly a bustling metropolis. The district was only recently carved out of the larger Ghizer District in 2019, a bureaucratic reshuffling that has done little to improve the area's persistent logistical headaches. The harsh climate - with the Gupis-Yasin District bordered by the Upper Chitral, Ghizer, Swat, and Upper Kohistan districts - makes even basic transportation a constant challenge.

Those seeking a quiet, off-the-grid lifestyle may find Gupis appealing, but anyone craving the comforts of modern urban living would be better off looking elsewhere.