Surpassing Tokyo: Kyoto Tops the List of Asia’s Best Travel Cities
Last updated 2026-09-25 — When it comes to the best travel cities in Asia, Tokyo in Japan and Bangkok in Thailand are likely the top choices for many. However, in the eyes of quite a few, Kyoto in Japan is actually the most attractive capital in Asia. According to a survey conducted by the American travel magazine Cond...
By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin
When it comes to the best travel cities in Asia, Tokyo in Japan and Bangkok in Thailand are likely the top choices for many. However, in the eyes of quite a few, Kyoto in Japan is actually the most attractive capital in Asia. According to the results of a reader survey by the American travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler, Kyoto topped the list of Asia’s best travel cities with an average score of 81.6 across various categories such as culture, friendliness, city atmosphere, restaurants, accommodation, and shopping. Tokyo and Bangkok only ranked 8th and 9th respectively.
Kyoto has beaten Tokyo and Bangkok to claim the top spot as Asia’s best travel city. (Image provided by Monocle Editorial Department)
The Kyoto that claimed the top spot as Asia’s best travel city captivates visitors with its famous historical sites and shrines such as Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaku-ji, as well as its old-capital charm filled with historical atmosphere. It also allows people to experience the blend of old and new Japan, creating a uniquely Japanese aesthetic. Traveling through its transport connections offers the strange sensation of crossing different eras.
Hoi An in Vietnam, with its deep sense of history, makes you feel as if you’re walking through a movie scene. (Image provided by Monocle Editorial Department)
Also selected in fourth place were two cities: Luang Prabang in Laos and Singapore. Luang Prabang also took the top spot in the friendliness category with a score of 89.4, while Singapore scored highest in the restaurant and accommodation categories. Ranks 6 to 10 went to Chiang Mai in Thailand, Hong Kong, Tokyo in Japan, Bangkok in Thailand, and Siem Reap in Cambodia. Among them, Hong Kong scored highest in the shopping category and can be called Asia’s shopping paradise, while Siem Reap boasts the world-famous Angkor Wat, giving it the leading position in the cultural category.
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In Yogyakarta, nature and ancient whispers harmonize. (Image source: Monocle Editorial Department)
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