Mengzi, China

With a population of just under 586,000, Mengzi is a county-level city in southeastern Yunnan that has seen rapid growth in recent years. However, the city's history as a former treaty port has left it with a mix of modern development and lingering poverty. Bureaucracy remains a persistent headache, as evidenced by the city's transition from a county to a county-level city in 2010. And despite its subtropical climate, Mengzi's long rainy season can dampen the appeal for some. Still, the city's rich cultural heritage and strategic location near the Vietnamese border make it an intriguing option for those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience in China.