We all have our opinions on the best cities in Asia – Resonance Consultancy included factors like lovability and prosperity while Time Out turned to thousands of locals worldwide for an insider perspective of what it's like to live, work, and play in their hometowns. This time, Travel + Leisure (T+L) turned to their readers to find out which cities impressed them the most during their travels.
Almost 180,000 T+L readers rated cities worldwide on their sights and landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value on a five-point scale from Poor to Excellent. The result? 15 standout Asian cities, hailing from Indonesia and Cambodia to Japan and South Korea.
The absolute best city in Asia for T+L readers may be surprising (simply because it's more low-key than its ever-popular capital). It's none other than Chiang Mai, a city in Thailand's relatively cool and mountainous north. Once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom, Chiang Mai is home to cultural relics from that era, alongside intricate and beautiful Buddhist temples. T+L readers also love its night markets, street food, and nature activities – think ethical elephant encounters and mountain hikes. It's also a place for creatives, with beautiful boutique hotels, dynamic coworking spaces, and a lively university scene. Check out our guide for the best things to do in Chiang Mai.
There are nine countries represented on the T+L Best Cities list, and Japan takes the cake with three entries: Tokyo (#2), Kyoto (#6), and Osaka (#11). Tokyo, in particular, stood out for the sheer variety of things to do in its magical maze of a city. At the same time, Kyoto stole hearts with its food, cultural landmarks, and family-friendly nature.
India also makes a strong showing, with the famous Pink City of Jaipur at #4, Bollywood capital Mumbai at #9, and Mughal cultural heart Agra at #10.
Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards 2025: Cities in Asia
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Tokyo, Japan
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Jaipur, India
- Hoi An, Vietnam
- Kyoto, Japan
- Ubud, Indonesia
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Mumbai, India
- Agra, India
- Osaka, Japan
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Singapore
- Seoul, South Korea
Have you heard? These are officially the best cities in Asia to explore after dark in 2025
Plus: The two Asian airports named among the world's most beautiful in 2025
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