The Top 10 Most Visited Cities in the World in 2016

Wondering where to go on your next vacation? Here are the 10 most popular cities around the world.

According to a recent report published by Statista, some of the biggest tourist destinations include Paris, London, and New York.

However, these historic cities were all less visited than one major Asian city last year, according to a recent report from Statista.

Here are the top ten most visited international cities.

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10. Seoul, South Korea

The capital city of South Korea truly is the hub for any tech-heads out there. It is often rated as one of the most technologically advanced cities of the world.

The city also was rated Asia’s most livable city with the second highest quality of life in the world. Situated between vast rivers and some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world.

Home to more than 10 million people, Seoul features one of the world’s most advanced and efficient transportation infrastructures. Also, their restaurant and food industry is widely-regarded as some of the most efficiently run in the world (helpful hint: tipping in South Koreaisn’t typically required).

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9. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo, Japan’s capital and the country's largest city, is one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world.

The city itself can appear to first-time visitors as if it was pulled out of a sci-fi movie, with its modern architecture and bustling nightlife. A blend of the new and the old, Tokyo is an attractive destination for adventurous travelers - and you can even find historic national parks and ancient temples can be explored while you're there.

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8. Istanbul, Turkey

At the crossing point of Asia and Europe lies the largest city in Turkey, and one of the world's most popular destinations.

Given its incredibly rich history, unbeatable food and its convenience as a point of connectivity for air travel between continents, Istanbul is understandably a popular travel destination, although recently travel warnings have been posted as a result of a series of violent attacks. Istanbul is one of three European cities to make the top 10.

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7. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia's capital and its largest city

It's not only one of the fastest growing regions in the country, it is rapidly becoming one of the top attractions in the world.

People head there to discover a unique combination of colonial era and contemporary infrastructure - creating a demand that results in over 12 million overnight stays each year. Highlights include the famous Petronas Towers, currently the two tallest twin towers on the globe.

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6. Singapore

The amount of tourism flocking into Singapore over the last 5 years has been steadily rising.

Over 12 million tourists visited in both 2015 and 2016. Its remarkable local cuisine, beautiful gardens and wondrous temples make it a surefire win as a vacation destination. Given its importance as a business hub too, it's no surprise that it's the sixth most popular destination in the world for travel.

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5. New York, U.S.A.

New York is the only North American city to make the top ten.

The iconic Manhattan skyline, world-class foods from every cuisine imaginable, an unrivaled nightlife...

Simply put, the Big Apple, has everything a tourist is looking for. From spectacular Broadway shows to iconic shops, museums and art. It's no surprise the city that never sleeps is top in North America when it comes to international travel.

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4. Dubai, UAE

Dubai is a world famous international business hub and is well-known for its fun nightlife and modern architecture.

And if you are looking to take a trip for pleasure rather than business, there's plenty for you to see. In the Burj Khalifa, Dubai is home to the is the tallest structure in the world, and it also packs in plenty of entertainment and shopping. Fun fact: roughly 85% of Dubai's population are expats.

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3. Paris, France

What do you need to say that hasn't been said a thousand times already about Paris?

Home to internationally renowned art, cuisine, music and architecture, you can spend as long as you like in Paris and never become bored. In fact, more than 18 million international overnight visitors went there last year alone.

In the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and the Pompidou (among many, many others), the city has enough museums and art galleries to keep you busy for a lifetime. Its nightlife and restaurants are unique and, more often than not, world class. With every turn on every street, you'll discover something new.

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2. London, England

London ranks in 2016 as the top destination in Europe, with nearly 20 million international travelers heading there last year alone.

London might just have everything you are looking for in a major city. Its rich historical background paired with unique landmarks such as the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the London Eye, and Buckingham Palace are just a few of the attractions London has to offer.

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1. Bangkok, Thailand

The Thai capital attracted over 21 million travelers and in 2016.

With its delicious, richly spiced cuisine, iconic Buddhist temples, and easy-acccess to jaw-dropping landscapes, Bankgkok was the most popular destination last year.

Much like its food, with its tempestuous mix of sweet and salty, spicy and sour, the city itself is a busy confusion of flavors: Gawdy bars sit near richly adorned temples; pollution swirls around brand-new high-rises; creaking old homes dwell near the shadows of modern shopping malls. It's a whirlwind of a place - no wonder it was the most popular city in the world for travelers last year.

All figures taken from Statista's 2016 report:

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