Remember this list of the 100 best cities in the world? For the first time ever, Resonance Consultancy has released a list of the 100 best cities in Asia-Pacific (APAC), giving us a fantastic deep dive into our vibrant and continuously evolving region (and some ideas about where we might want to travel to next, too).
First, some background. Every year, Canadian tourism and investment advisory Resonance Consultancy publishes a report on the best cities in the world. Their list ranks cities with a metro population of 1 million or more based on an overall score covering livability (things like rent, number of highly rated sights and landmarks, number of parks), lovability (such as nightlife, shopping, and Tripadvisor reviews), and prosperity (number of Fortune 500 companies, GDP per capita, and more).
And the first APAC city to snag the crown? It's Singapore, which placed fifth in Resonance's 2024 global list. The thriving regional powerhouse ranked #1 for GDP per capita and #2 for Google Trends but also fared well for shopping and eating. That's all well in line with what we know of the city, which is home to glitzy shopping havens like Marina Bay Sands, Michelin-starred restaurants and award-winning bars, and plenty of hawker centres.
Coming #2 on the list is Tokyo, Japan – a little surprising given that it beat Singapore in the global rankings last year. Nevertheless, this urban playground proves why it's one of the most liveable cities in the world and a perpetual favourite destination among millions of travellers worldwide. It ranks first in Sights & Landmarks and Nature & Parks – in other words, there are plenty of opportunities for sightseeing and relaxation even in the city sprawl.
K-pop, K-dramas, K-beauty – South Korea has taken the world by storm. This year, Seoul ranks as the third-best city in APAC. But its world-class museums and plethora of Fortune 500 companies was what propelled it into the top ranks. If you're a hungry entrepreneur, this city could be where you realise your start-up dreams. For the rest of us, there are new museums, more green spaces, and even a revitalised Han River to look forward to.
What's great about a dedicated Top 100 list for Asia-Pacific is that it spotlights some obscure and underrated cities. Besides popular destinations like Beijing, Bangkok, and Taipei, Resonance's ranking also dives into up-and-coming cities like Kunming, China (#33), Sendai, Japan (#37), Guwahati, India (#73), and Malang, Indonesia (#90). It's a testament to how much there is to discover and explore – we say start now with Resonance's full list.
These are the top 20 best cities in Asia-Pacific for 2025, according to Resonance Consultancy:
- Singapore
- Tokyo, Japan
- Seoul, South Korea
- Hong Kong, China
- Beijing, China
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Sydney, Australia
- Shanghai, China
- Melbourne, Australia
- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Osaka, Japan
- Delhi, India
- Mumbai, India
- Bangalore, India
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Taipei, Taiwan
- Guangzhou, China
- Shenzhen, China
- Brisbane, Australia
- Perth, Australia
Jet set with the world's best airline for 2025. And guess what? It's from Asia.
Plus: upcoming hotel openings in Asia to get real excited about.
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