Ka'ersai, China

Don't expect a thriving metropolis in Ka'ersai. With a population of just 571,648, this remote Xinjiang county is very much a sleepy backwater. The economy is dominated by agriculture, with cotton, corn, and walnuts as the main products. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the county's history of administrative reshuffling and crackdowns on religious activity. And safety can hardly be assured, with reports of violent attacks on government targets in recent years. Unless you're a rugged individualist seeking an off-the-grid life, Ka'ersai is probably not the place for you.