Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia, Sri Lanka

With a population of over 234,000, this bustling suburb of Colombo is hardly the serene island escape many imagine. The tax burden is heavy, and bureaucracy is a persistent headache - getting anything done can be an exercise in frustration. Yet the city's rapid growth has also brought opportunity, from the National Zoological Gardens (one of Asia's largest) to a diverse array of places of worship. For those able to navigate the complexities, Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia offers an energetic urban experience, though it may prove overwhelming for the faint of heart.