These are the best cities in Asia in 2026, according to Time Out

We're just going to say it, Asia has some of the world’s most exciting, futuristic cities. So it’s no surprise that the region has once again made a strong showing in Time Out’s newly released list of the 50 best cities in the world for 2026.

The ranking is built on the people who know cities best: the locals who actually live in them. This year, more than 24,000 residents across 150 cities were surveyed on everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and overall quality of life. Their responses were then combined with votes from over 100 Time Out city experts to determine the final list.

Created in collaboration with Intrepid Travel, the annual ranking celebrates cities that offer the best of both worlds: incredible places to visit and genuinely great places to live. Rather than focusing only on blockbuster attractions, the list looks at the everyday experiences that make urban life exciting–from community feel and walkability to cultural energy and affordability. This year, 11 Asian cities made the global top 50, with four landing in the top 10.

Leading the region is Shanghai at #2, the highest-ranked Asian city on the list. Colonial-era architecture sits alongside cinematic restaurant concepts and a café scene often dubbed the world’s biggest. It’s also one of the most affordable cities in the ranking, with 88 percent of locals saying eating out is cheap. 

Next up is Bangkok at #8, which continues to prove it’s far more than a stopover city. The Thai capital is in the middle of a cultural upswing, with Thailand’s first international contemporary art gallery having opened at the end of 2025 and the Bangkok Art Biennale set to return this October. That’s on top of a famously unbeatable food scene, a strong community feel among younger residents, and a calendar that’s only getting louder. Especially with F1 and Tomorrowland’s regional arrival putting even more attention on the city.

Rounding out Asia’s top 10 are Seoul at #9 and Tokyo at #10, two cities that continue to evolve in their own ways–Seoul with its year-round cultural buzz, and Tokyo with its endlessly inventive subcultures and world-class museums. Overall, 11 Asian cities made the global top 50, with China leading the pack (Shanghai, Hong Kong, Beijing), followed by Japan (Tokyo, Osaka), Thailand (Bangkok, Chiang Mai) and Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City).

Asian cities in Time Out’s 50 best cities in the world for 2026:

#2 Shanghai
#8 Bangkok
#9 Seoul
#10 Tokyo
#15 Hong Kong
#23 Singapore
#25 Hanoi
#30 Beijing
#32 Chiang Mai
#38 Ho Chi Minh City
#39 Osaka

The global top 10 cities for 2026:

1. Melbourne
2. Shanghai
3. Edinburgh
4. London
5. New York
6. Cape Town
7. Mexico City
8. Bangkok
9. Seoul
10. Tokyo

See the full list at Time Out Global.

Have you heard? There’s an underrated UNESCO site in Laos that predates Angkor Wat by centuries

Plus: All you need to know about Wonderfruit 2026: dates, ticketing, and new Kyoto edition