Dinogo Readers' Top 15 Cities in Asia for 2024

Ranging from bustling urban centers to historic capitals, Dinogo readers celebrated Asia's rich diversity in their selections for favorite cities in the region. Each choice reflects various aspects, particularly in history, culture, and cuisine, which captivated travelers and encouraged repeat visits.

Understanding the Voting Process

Each year, for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their travel experiences worldwide, offering insights on their top city hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. In 2024, over 186,000 T+L readers participated in the survey, casting a total of more than 700,000 votes across over 8,700 entries (including hotels, cities, and cruise lines).

Cities were evaluated based on the following criteria:

Attractions/Sights
Cultural Experience
Gastronomy
Welcoming Nature
Shopping Opportunities
Cost Value

Respondents rated each feature as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores represent the averages of these evaluations.

Highlights from Readers

This year, cities renowned for their cultural heritage topped the reader favorites across Asia, from the ancient canals of Vietnam’s Hoi An (No. 3) to Cambodia’s Siem Reap (No. 11), the gateway to the magnificent Khmer temples of Angkor Wat. In addition to Udaipur, which took the top spot, India secured three other favorites: Kolkata (No. 8), Jaipur (No. 9), and Mumbai (No. 14).

Readers also showed a preference for Japan, featuring Kyoto (No. 2) and Tokyo (No. 6), as well as Thailand, which included Chiang Mai (No. 4) and Bangkok (No. 5), giving each country two cities in the rankings. The top destinations delighted visitors in various ways. One admirer described Kyoto as “the most beautiful city in Japan for its dedication to preserving the country’s history and culture.” Many enjoyed its “charming, small-town vibe” and praised the cuisine: “Ramen and udon all day long!”

The fastest riser is Seoul, South Korea, now ranked No. 10, moving up five places since 2023. It garnered praise for its vibrant energy: “There’s something about the hustle and bustle that feels like a scene from a movie,” shared one admirer. Readers also favored the “clean and safe” environment of Singapore (No. 13) and the peaceful, culinary delights, and romance found in Ubud (No. 7). “Ubud is pure magic,” one voter commented, “the only place I’d come back to time and time again.”

Continue reading to discover how Udaipur, the reigning champion from 2023, outperformed all others once more.

The Champion

Udaipur, India

The City Palace alongside the tourist boat on Lake Pichola.

Sean3810/Getty Images

“Everywhere you look, history is present,” remarked one admirer of Udaipur, the repeat champion, a fortified city located on Lake Pichola in Rajasthan, northwestern India. Surrounded by the lush hills of the Aravalli Range, this City of Lakes is home to some of the nation’s most breathtaking palaces, including the iconic Lake Palace situated on an island in the lake. Along the waterfront, the City Palace, a sprawling complex that has evolved over 400 years, now boasts 11 palaces and a museum filled with artwork, sculptures, and royal treasures, such as silver jewelry used by elephants during ceremonial events. As one voter encapsulated, Udaipur “will deepen your appreciation of India.”