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There are many things we can rely on in our favourite cities. Those landmark restaurants that have stood the test of time, or a nightlife scene which continues to thrive despite a major shift in our habits. However, just like we do, cities live, breathe and adapt – and that’s why we annually refresh our ranking of the planet’s top metropolises.
This year, Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel awarded the number one spot to Melbourne. The ranking was created thanks to our massive annual survey, which this year more than 24,000 people took part in, as well as the insights of more than 100 Time Out city experts.
An Asian hub claimed place number two, ranking ahead of London, Paris, New York and Tokyo. The city in question? It was Shanghai – so let’s take a look at the data.
According to the locals we spoke to, the city received the highest overall score for affordability, with 88 agreeing it’s cheap to dine out and 90 percent saying the same about buying coffee or going to the cinema. Oh, and 78 percent of people agree that it’s cycling-friendly, too.
So, why should you visit Shanghai in 2026? Well, according to Sammi Sowerby, Time Out’s English editor in Shanghai, ‘Chances are high that you – yes, you – no longer need a visa to visit Shanghai, or China at large.’
‘Citizens of more than 50 countries can now enter visa-free for short stays, and the list keeps getting longer; Canada and the UK were officially approved on February 15. China is having a clear soft-power moment, as outdated perceptions give way to curiosity about its culture, cities and innovation – and Shanghai sits right at the centre of this shift,’ she writes, ‘Come see it for yourself, and you might soon find yourself quoting the viral line: ‘You met me at a very Chinese time of my life.’’
In short, it’s a city of ‘restless innovation’ which is ‘rooted in history but always sprinting toward the next thing’. Sounds like a pretty enticing place to visit, right?
Claiming second place on our Asian cities list (and eighth overall) is Bangkok, and in third place (and following closely in ninth overall) is Seoul. Tokyo and Hong Kong round out our top five, but scroll on for the full list of Asia’s 12 best cities for 2026.
The 11 best cities in Asia for 2026, according to Time Out
- Shanghai
- Bangkok
- Seoul
- Tokyo
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
- Hanoi
- Beijing
- Chiang Mai
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Osaka
🏙️ Check out Time Out’s brand-new list of the Best Cities in the World for 2026.
Ready to see the world’s best cities for yourself? Book your next trip with Intrepid Travel and start planning the ultimate adventure today.
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