Chungju, South Korea

The population of 207,839 may seem enticing, but Chungju's bureaucracy is a persistent headache. As the hometown of former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, this North Chungcheong Province city is renowned for its annual martial arts festival and apple production, which accounts for 44.6% of the region's total. However, the frigid winters and sweltering summers characteristic of its monsoon-influenced continental climate are not for the faint of heart. Ultimately, Chungju caters best to those seeking a quieter, more traditional Korean lifestyle outside the bustle of the capital.