TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taipei is the best city in Asia for culture and art due to its balance between the old and the new, according to a report published Tuesday.
Time Out Worldwide ranked over 150 cities across the world based on a survey of more than 24,000 people and on opinions of editors and experts. London ended up at No. 1, followed by Paris and New York.
Taipei did well in the rankings because it is possible to move between old and new so easily, heading from the National Palace Museum and traditional opera to experimental theater spaces, literary talks, and socially conscious exhibitions.
Taipei scored highest on the global list for budget-friendly culture, Time Out Worldwide reported, with independent bookshops receiving praise from locals. The city is the location of a “world-class arts ecosystem” without London-level prices, the report said.
In addition, Taipei also plans urban forests and greener pedestrian-friendly streets, strengthening its appeal for travelers out to discover the city on foot.
Other Asian cities in the top 20 included Beijing at No. 17, the Indian city of Jaipur at No. 18, and Chiang Mai, Thailand, at No. 19.
