Itanagar, India

Capital City

At just 59,490 residents, Itanagar may seem like a sleepy backwater, but the reality is a chaotic mix of development and tribalism. The literacy rate of 66.95% lags the national average, and the sultry, wet climate is a persistent headache. Bureaucracy is another obstacle, as the city juggles its role as the capital of Arunachal Pradesh.

While Itanagar boasts a diverse array of tribal cultures, the lack of infrastructure and amenities makes it a challenging destination, especially for outsiders. This city is best suited for those seeking an authentic, if not always comfortable, taste of India's remote northeastern frontier.