9 places to live differently

China's westernmost living ancient city — where the Silk Road still breathes.

China's northwest frontier — where three borders meet and skiing began.

A Himalayan frontier valley where Tibet meets Nepal — and its name means "Happy Village."

Where the Songhua meets the Heilongjiang — China's river-border frontier

China's last frontier town on the Pamir Plateau

The world's largest Tibetan Buddhist academy and an endless corridor of prayer wheels.

Where China, Russia, and Mongolia converge at a one-of-a-kind border port city

China's northwesternmost village — where the frontier meets the taiga

A Tibetan monastery town straddling two provinces — China's "Little Switzerland"