Jiehu, China

With a population of just 69,245, Jiehu is hardly the glittering metropolis many imagine when moving abroad. The Jie people who once dominated this northern Chinese region have long faded into obscurity, and the city itself offers little in the way of modern comforts. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with authorities still grappling to assimilate the diverse Hu tribes under a unified "Jie" identity. And while Buddhism found a foothold here centuries ago, religious freedom remains a delicate balance. Jiehu is best suited for those seeking an authentic, if rugged, slice of ancient Chinese history, rather than the international glamour of the country's major hubs.