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The 20 most-visited cities in the world

, 5h, Wednesday, December 13, 2017, http://www.thisisinsider.com/t...ties-of-2017-2017-12

Singapore made 3rd place.anekoho/Shutterstock

  • Market research provider Euromonitor International releases an annual Top City Destinations Ranking.
  • The report ranks 100 of the world's leading cities in terms of tourist arrivals.
  • This year, Asian cities dominated the list, taking four out of the top five spots.
  • Hong Kong was the most visited city in the world, counting 25.7 million visitors in 2017.

The start of a new year is a great time to plan ahead, which is why we provided you with 50 destinations that should be on your 2018 travel bucket list.

But it's also a great time to look back, and that's why we rounded up the most visited places of 2017.

In order to do so, we relied on data compiled by market research provider Euromonitor International. Every year, Euromonitor releases its Top City Destinations Ranking, a report that ranks 100 of the world's leading cities in terms of tourist arrivals.

The ranking is based on international tourist arrivals that stay in the country for at least 24 hours, for a period less than 12 months, and for purposes including leisure and business. Domestic tourists, same-day visitors, and people in transit (such as cruise passengers) are excluded from the ranking.

The number of visitors for 2017 is accurate up until September of 2017, although the ranking is based on projections through the year end.

Keep scrolling to see the cities that were most popular among tourists this year.

Replies sorted oldest to newest

15. Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul's Hagia Sophia.
jasminam/iStock

Given its unique position between both Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a melting pot of cultures. The various empires that have ruled the city have left behind several relics, one of the most well-known being the Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine Mosque whose dome dates back to the 6th century. 8.6 million visitors have traveled to the city this year.

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13. Tokyo, Japan

Two geishas outside of Sensō-ji Temple in Asakusa in Tokyo.
Phattana Stock/Shutterstock

Japan's capital is full of museums and temples, many of which are surrounded by serene woods and gardens. The Tsukiji Fish Market and Harajuku are popular tourist destinations that are worth the hype. This year, Tokyo has attracted 9.7 million visitors.

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10. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur.
ErmakovaElena/iStock

The iconic Petronas Towers dominate Kuala Lumpur's skyline, but the city isn't all modern skyscrapers. Chinatown carries traces of the city's beginnings and the Thean Hou Temples is a gorgeous oasis from the busy city. Kuala Lumpur has attracted 12.8 million visitors.

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9. Shenzhen, China

Shenzhen.
gjp311/iStock

Serving as a gateway between Hong Kong and mainland China, Shenzhen is a Special Economic Zone, meaning that its business and trade laws differ from the rest of the country. Besides being a business hub, the city attracts tourists eager to explore its impressive shopping malls and amusement parks. This year Shenzhen has seen 13 million visitors.

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8. New York City, New York

Central Park in New York City.
SeanPavonePhoto/iStock

It's no wonder that the Big Apple counted the most visitors out of any US city. New York City is the largest city in the country, and it's known for its cutting edge dining and shopping scenes, as well as its rich cultural options like The Met, MOMA, and the American Museum of Natural History. 13.1 millions visitors have made it to NYC this year.

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7. Paris, France

Some people call Paris the "City of Light," while others call it the "City of Love," but either way, it's renowned for its charming architecture and romantic appeal. Take a stroll along the Seine, watch the street painters near Montmartre, or picnic under the Eiffel Tower — you'll never run out of thing to do here. In 2017, Paris attracted 14.3 million visitors.

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4. Singapore

People swim in the Marina Bay Sands infinity pool in Singapore.
anekoho/Shutterstock

Cheap but good food options abound throughout the hawker centers in Singapore, which boasts one of the only street food stalls to be awarded a Michelin star. Visitors are also drawn to the skyline views from the world's largest rooftop infinity pool, which sits 57 floors above street level in the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. 17.6 million people have visited the city this year.

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2. Bangkok, Thailand

A floating market in Bangkok.
Lisheng Chang/Unsplash

Thailand's second city to make the list, Bangkok is much more of a booming metropolis than ****et. Its network of narrow canals host colorful floating markets, and its opulent shrines are sights to see. Plus, one of Bangkok's street food stalls was just awarded a Michelin star. This year, the city has seen 23.3 million visitors.

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