Zhaotong, China

With a population of over 5 million, this remote prefecture in northeastern Yunnan is one of China's poorest regions. The authorities have actively encouraged young people to seek work elsewhere, with some 650,000 emigrants in 2003 alone. And the climate is a persistent headache, with frigid winters and sweltering summers. This is a hardscrabble, agricultural area far from the gleaming megacities that attract many foreigners. Those seeking an authentic Chinese experience may find Zhaotong a rewarding challenge, but it's certainly not for the faint of heart.