It’s been a big year for Asian cities on the world stage, with cities across the continent recognised for world-class hotels, prosperous business hubs and high standards of living. While we wait for Time Out’s guide to the best cities in the world for 2026, we’re happy to take Resonance Consulting’s World’s Best Cities list – regarded as “the most comprehensive study of its kind” – as gospel. This year, two Asian cities made the top 10 – with Tokyo ranking at number four, and Singapore slipping one place from last year, ranking as the sixth best in the world.
To rank the World’s Best Cities for 2026, Resonance analysed data from more than 400 cities across three key themes: livability, lovability and prosperity. London hung onto its crown as the world’s best city for yet another year, and a total of six Asian cities cracked the top 20.
The first Asian city to make the list was Tokyo, which held onto its 2025 position in fourth place on the list. The Japanese capital continues to balance its meticulous order with bursts of bold experimentation, blending tradition, technology and human-scale charm in equal measure. According to Resonance, 2025 saw record-breaking tourism (helped along by a weak yen), prompting a wave of citywide upgrades – from autonomous robotaxis cruising through Odaiba to ongoing airport expansions and the new Haneda Access Line promising a 20-minute city connection. Meanwhile, the transformation of the Tokyo Expressway into the lush, elevated Tokyo Sky Corridor is underway, set to bring a High Line–style green promenade to the heart of the city. Add the Shibuya district’s jaw-dropping rebuild, luxury newcomers like Janu Tokyo, and the return of teamLab Borderless, and it’s no wonder Tokyo tops the global charts for both museums and restaurants.
Over in Singapore, the city-state continues to prove that sustainability and style can go hand in hand. Topping the world on Resonance’s scale for Standard of Living, Singapore’s pushing forward on every front – from the reinvention of Orchard Road as a next-generation retail and lifestyle hub to the colossal Great Southern Waterfront project reshaping the coastline. Marina Bay Sands’ fourth tower is on the horizon, the Park Connector Network now spans more than 230 miles, and Tuas Mega Port is fast becoming a global logistics marvel. On the culture front, things are buzzing: QT Singapore is shaking up the nightlife scene, AIR CCCC is redefining eco-conscious dining, and new museum expansions promise to elevate the city’s creative edge. Resonance also cited the city’s billion-dollar tech investments and booming restaurant scene for its strong position at number six on the list.
The other Asian cities to crack the top 20 were Seoul (coming in at 13th place, recognised for its world-class restaurants and museums), Beijing (ranked 15th on the list, recognised for its nightlife and retail offerings), Shanghai (ranking 16th for its family-ready mega-attractions) and Hong Kong (just making the top 20, at 19th on the list).
How Asia ranked in the World’s Best Cities 2026
4. Tokyo
6. Singapore
13. Seoul
15. Beijing
16. Shanghai
19. Hong Kong
You can read Resonance Consulting’s full World’s Best Cities report over here.