Jianchang, China

This remote mountain county in the southwest of Liaoning province is hardly the picturesque escape many imagine. With a population of 453,436, Jianchang is the largest division of Huludao City, sprawling across 3,195 square kilometers of rugged terrain. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as navigating the 21 townships and 7 towns can be a labyrinthine experience. On the plus side, the Jianchang Longtan Grand Canyon offers a wide variety of plant and animal life, and the discovery of an early feathered dinosaur fossil here provides a glimpse into the region's prehistoric past. Overall, Jianchang is best suited for those willing to brave the administrative challenges in exchange for access to China's natural wonders.