3 Southeast Asian cities among world's 100 best

By Hoang Phong December 10, 2024 | 04:17 am PT

People dine at Singapore's Boat Quay. Photo by Reuters

Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur are the three Southeast Asian cities to feature in a list of the world's 100 best cities, compiled by marketing consultancy Resonance in collaboration with market research company Ipsos.

Singapore, home to the world-famous Changi Airport and the Marina Bay Sands complex, ranked 5th on the list.

The city, with a population of six million, is praised for its luxury shopping malls and culinary diversity.

"The city's culinary scene ranges from humble hawker centers, renowned for Michelin-starred street food, to upscale dining establishments serving dishes like spicy white pepper crab," the report states.

Thailand's capital, Bangkok, ranked 32nd.

"Most of what we know about Bangkok is centered around exotic food, illicit massage parlors, beautiful beaches, or thrift shopping," the report observes.

Famous for its golden Buddhist temples, Bangkok is also celebrated for its diverse tourist attractions and modern shopping malls. The city plans to open a multi-floor cannabis complex in Chinatown, and more than 40 new hotels are set to open across the capital by 2027.

Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, ranked 50th.

"The city perfectly blends tradition with modern innovation, making it one of the most dynamic in the Asia-Pacific region," according to the report.

The city made headlines in 2024 with the opening of the Merdeka 118 Tower, the second tallest building in the world after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The 118-story tower offers luxury accommodations and an observation deck with breathtaking views of the city.

A rich mix of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences adds to Kuala Lumpur's vibrant food scene, with street foods like nasi lemak and char kway teow sitting alongside world-class dining options.

To compile the rankings, the Canada-based company assessed the world's tourist cities with populations over one million, evaluating three pillars: livability (air quality, biking infrastructure, tree cover, rent, and landmarks), lovability (nightlife, restaurants, shopping, culture, Tripadvisor reviews, and museums), and prosperity (airport connectivity, universities, convention centers, and GDP per capita).

London was named the world's best city, followed by New York, Paris, and Tokyo.