Karawang, Indonesia

Capital City

This city in West Java is hardly the tropical paradise you might expect. With a population of 307,880, Karawang is primarily known as a major rice production hub and an industrial center for automakers like Honda, Toyota, and the now-defunct Mitsubishi plant. While that may appeal to some, the reality is this place can be a challenge - severe flooding affected over 44,000 residents back in 2010, and the area has a history of civil unrest that turned deadly. The bureaucracy is also a persistent headache. Overall, Karawang is best suited for those seeking affordable access to Indonesia's manufacturing backbone, rather than an exotic getaway.