Yezhou, China

With a population of just over 104,000, Yezhou is hardly the bustling metropolis some may imagine. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the drama's production delays and costly reshoots. The climate, while not explicitly described, is unlikely to be the temperate paradise of coastal cities. This small, unglamorous city is best suited for those seeking an authentic, unvarnished slice of Chinese life - and a thick skin to match.