Taozhou, China

Living in this remote county in western China is no picnic. The population is just 127,387, and the area has a long history of ethnic and religious conflict. Tibetans here crushed Muslim rebels in the late 19th century, while Muslim sects fought each other, with one general even slaughtering a rival's family. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the climate is harsh. This is not a place for the faint of heart - Taozhou is best suited for those seeking an adventurous, challenging life off the beaten path.