Qingxichang, China

With a population of just under 500,000, Qingxichang is no bustling metropolis. The remote county located in southeastern Chongqing is a patchwork of 17 towns and 6 townships, offering little in the way of modern amenities. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the area is administered by the Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County. While the climate data is not provided, the autonomous region designation suggests this is no tropical paradise.

For those seeking a taste of authentic rural China, Qingxichang may hold appeal. But for most Westerners, the lack of infrastructure and heavy government oversight make this an unappealing destination.