Wugang, China

With a population of 730,000, this county-level city in Hunan Province is no quaint village. The bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the diverse ethnic makeup - Xiang Chinese, Miao, and Yao minorities - can make daily life a challenge for outsiders. On the plus side, the climate is unremarkable, neither too hot nor too cold. Overall, Wugang is best suited for those with a high tolerance for red tape and cultural immersion.