Even though most Americans have to sit on hours-long flights to get to it, Asia remains as popular as ever with Travel + Leisure readers—and many people, it seems, are enchanted by the unmatched energy of its most exciting cities. The diversity of options across the continent is incredible, and whether you’re seeking busy, neon-lit boulevards, capital cities with bustling street food scenes, or metropolises home to ancient landmarks, there’s something for every kind of traveler in Asia.
But one special place came out on top in this year’s ranking—read on to find out which.
How Voting Works
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).
Cities were specifically rated on the criteria below:
For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.
Maria Ligaya/Travel + Leisure
Close up of temple roofs in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
What Readers Loved
The cities on this year’s list span nine countries, from South Korea to India. Japan alone had three cities on the list, including the runner-up, Tokyo, a perennial favorite for the sheer breadth of things to do in this megalopolis of around 14 million. “Tokyo is one of the most friendly, clean, fun cities in the world,” one reader wrote. “There are tons of cultural activities, great food for everyone, and extremely friendly people. Public transportation is excellent and super efficient, [and] you can get pretty much anywhere you need to go. A truly beautiful city.”
Elsewhere in Japan, Kyoto (No. 6) impressed with its historical sites and culinary excellence. “The food and cultural landmarks are excellent, and the natural beauty is wonderful!” one survey respondent said. Another reader pointed out the family-friendly nature of Kyoto, and noted that “people were friendly, the city was clean as a whistle, and we saw kids walking home from school, because it’s so safe.”
Read on to find out this year’s first-place winner and to see the full list of the best cities in Asia, according to T+L readers.
“A truly beautiful city.”
T+L Reader
The Winner
Chiang Mai
Sophia Kravets/Travel + Leisure
Visitors walking around temple grounds in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
“Super cordial people and amazing food!” one reader said about this year’s winner, Chiang Mai, Thailand. There’s much to see and do in this northern Thai city, and cultural highlights here include ancient temples like Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, which was reportedly built in the 14th century and is perched on a scenic mountain overlooking the city. As for food, visitors could spend hours here exploring Chiang Mai’s lively night markets, sampling delicious street food like mango sticky rice or khao soi (a coconut curry, egg noodle soup). Nature is also a big part of the draw here. Surrounded by lush, mountainous landscapes, Chiang Mai provides ample opportunities for ethical elephant encounters as well as plentiful hikes through gorgeous national parks. One reader said the city is a “great place to see the elephants and to feed and wash them.”
The Full List
1. Chiang Mai, Thailand
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 91.94
2. Tokyo
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 91.39
3. Bangkok
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 91.34
4. Jaipur, India
Reader Score: 91.33
5. Hoi An, Vietnam
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 91.00
6. Kyoto, Japan
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 90.61
7. Ubud, Indonesia
WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 90.48
8. Siem Reap, Cambodia
Reader Score: 89.27
9. Mumbai
Reader Score: 89.17
10. Agra, India
Reader Score: 88.44
11. Osaka, Japan
Reader Score: 87.67
12. Hanoi, Vietnam
Reader Score: 87.61
13. Taipei, Taiwan
Reader Score: 86.89
14. Singapore
Reader Score: 86.47
15. Seoul, South Korea
Reader Score: 85.85
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
