Ba Long Bay (Hạ Long Bay), Vietnam

Hạ Long Bay is no dreamy paradise. Though its limestone karsts and emerald waters attract millions of tourists, the 1,540 residents who call this UNESCO-listed site home face an isolated, back-breaking existence. The bay is home to just 40 inhabited islands, where families eke out a living through fishing and marine aquaculture, tending to 200 species of fish and 450 mollusks. With the provincial government relocating hundreds of households to the mainland, bureaucracy is a persistent headache. And the tropical climate brings heavy rainfall and storms that can batter the floating villages. For hardy souls willing to brave the elements and bureaucratic challenges, Hạ Long Bay's natural splendor may be worth the tradeoffs.