Each traveler chooses his holiday destinations based on personal criteria, but millions of tourists choose the same destinations, fact for which annually there is drawn the top 10 most visited cities in the world.
On the 10th place there is situated Shanghai (China), with an average of 6.6 million visitors a year. It is China's largest city and an important commercial center. Shanghai is called the "Paris of the East" or "Queen of the Orient" and is the largest urban construction site in the world, with over 600 skyscrapers and more 300 are still in construction. In addition, Shanghai was the first city in the world with a Maglev train (with magnetic levitation) train that connects the Pudong International Airport and Long Yang station in only 8 minutes, over a distance of 30 km. Most skyscrapers are found in Pudong financial district and have a modern architecture at the top, especially in the restaurants, which have a flying saucer-shaped design.
The 9th place among the top of the most visited 10 cities in the world is Dubai (UAE), with an average of 6.9 million visitors. This metropolis attracts millions of tourists because of its unique construction, made right on the sand, in a very short time, for several decades. Dubai boasts with the world's tallest building – Burj Dubai, with the world's most expensive hotel – Burj al Arab, or with the largest artificial islands – Palm Islands. Burj al Arab is an extremely luxurious building, the only hotel with seven stars in the world, and was completed in just 5 years. Here, visitors have countless opportunities for speding their leisure time: play tennis, surfing, diving or eating in the restaurant at 180 meters above the ocean.
Rome (Italy) is the city located on the 8th place, with 6.12 million visitors. The Italian capital attracts tourists through its historical center, situated on the UNESCO heritage list. Known as the "Capital of the World", "Eternal City" or "City of Seven Hills", Rome has as main attractions the Colosseum, Fontana di Trevi, Forum, Pantheon, and especially the Vatican, which houses some important works of famous artists like Leonardo da Vinci or Michelangelo. In addition, the Italians are famous for their food and a visit to the historic center can combine business with pleasure.
Another city that is among the most visited 10 cities in the world is Istanbul (Turkey), which is on 7th place with 7.05 million tourists. The former capital of Byzantine Empire and of the Islamic Ottoman Empire, Istanbul appeals through the combination of two different civilizations: Asia and Europe. The city abounds in historical sites, but is also famous due to the largest commercial areas in the world. In addition, those who like hectic lives will find a wonderful place here, because the night life in Istanbul is very rich and colorful.
6th place belongs to Hong Kong (China), with 7.94 million visitors. Here is found the airport with the highest traffic in Asia and the tracks are even on the sea. Considered to be the city of contrasts, Hong Kong combines the quiet lifestyle with the hectic life. The modern area of the city, with its futuristic buildings, blends with the countryside, with fishing villages, temples and shrines.
The following city, the fifth in top 10 most visited cities in the world is New York (USA), with 9.5 million visitors. It is called the "city that never sleeps" and as the name implies, the tourists find something to see or do at any time of day and night. New York is the most populous city in the world, and among the main attractions there are included the Empire State Building, Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty.
Singapore is ranked 4th on the list, with 10.1 million tourists. Although it is the smallest state in Southeast Asia, Singapore manages to attract visitors by combining several cultural areas: Muslim center, where there are found all traditional textiles, Chinatown, which is the cultural center of the country, full of ancient temples, but also restaurants and luxurious buildings, and the colonial city, which houses the Empress Place Building, a Victorian-style building built in 1865.
The next most visited town in the top 10 most visited cities in the world is Bangkok (Thailand), ranked No. 3, with 10.84 million visitors. The largest and most populous city in Thailand is known as the "City of Angels" and as "Venice of the Orient" and contains over 400 temples and more than 800 hotels and skyscrapers, which form a harmonious combination. Among the most interesting sights in Bangkok there are included the Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), Lumpini Park, the Ancient City (Muang Boran) and the lying Buddha Temple (Wat Pho).
2nd place is occupied by London (United Kingdom), which has 14.8 million visitors. It is the most important political, cultural and economic center in the UK and is a city where you can not ever get bored. Tourists are attracted by sights such as the Palace of Westminster and Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, British Museum or Madame Tussaud's Museum.
The first place among the most visited cities in the world is occupied by Paris (France), with 15.6 million tourists. It is considered to be the superlative of the tourist destinations, a place where everyone wants to go at least once in life. Paris strikes through its monuments and buildings such as Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the museums like the Louvre, Orsay and Picasso, or even neighborhoods, such as the Champs-Elysees, Montmartre and Montparnasse.
Whatever the chosen location for a holiday, these ten cities offer everything a tourist would seek: many places to visit, but also many places to relax and enjoy themselves.