The World’s 100 Best Palaces · 2026

The Best Palaces in Asia

12 of the 100 palaces in The World’s 100 Best Palaces 2026 are in Asia, in 5 countries. The highest placed is Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, India, at number 3 in the world. Forbidden City in Beijing, China (number 14) and Mysore Palace in Mysuru, India (number 15) follow.

India

Mehrangarh Fort stands on a hill above Jodhpur and holds palaces, carved courtyards and a museum of weapons and royal objects. The City Palace in Udaipur is on the bank of Lake Pichola, and part of it is still home to the royal family. Amber Palace is a hilltop fort-palace near Jaipur. Mysore Palace in the centre of Mysuru is lit up in the evening.

China

The Forbidden City in Beijing was the palace of the Ming and Qing emperors and is now the Palace Museum. The Summer Palace is set around Kunming Lake and Longevity Hill. The Potala Palace rises above Lhasa at about 3,700 metres and is reached by a long stair climb.

Korea, Japan and Thailand

Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung in Seoul are Joseon royal palaces; Changdeokgung has a rear garden with ponds and pavilions. In Kyoto, Katsura Imperial Villa is visited in guided groups around its pond garden, and Nijō Castle was the shogun's residence, with painted rooms in the Ninomaru Palace. The Grand Palace in Bangkok was founded in 1782 and includes the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.