Cathay Members’ Choice Awards

Cathay Members’ Choice Awards 2026: World’s best city for a long weekend

Short on time but big on payoff – these cities deliver culture, cuisine and energy in just a few days
By Cathay
In partnership with
Visitors gather beneath the sweeping lattice canopy at OH Bay in Shenzhen during sunset, overlooking the waterfront as the evening sky glows over the bay.

Welcome to the Cathay Members’ Choice Awards. Our annual awards celebrate the very best in travel, dining and lifestyle – as voted by you, our global community of tastemakers. 

After counting the votes, we’re thrilled to announce the results of this year’s awards. Discover the world’s best city for a long weekend, as well as the three nominees that made it to the shortlist.  

Not a member yet? Join now to unlock a world of benefits, rewards and experiences – and get the chance to vote in next year’s awards. 

Become a Cathay member

     

Waterfront promenade in Shenzhen with a curved wooden boardwalk, railings and a modern skyline featuring a tall glass skyscraper.

Winner: Shenzhen

This long weekend favourite has seen visitor numbers skyrocket in the last year, and for excellent reason. Frenetic yet fun-filled, Shenzhen offers everything from galleries, spas and bars to ancient villages and green spaces, meaning visitors can cover a lot of ground in just a short trip. Key attractions include fellow award nominees Shenzhen Qianhai Huafa Ice and Snow World and UpperHills, as well as shopping partner destinations like MixC – not to mention the city’s scenic areas, quirky theme parks, amazing food and superb connectivity across the Greater Bay Area. 

Shortlisted nominees

Aerial view of Hanoi at dusk with a tree-lined causeway illuminated by streetlights, stretching across a lake toward a skyline of buildings.

Hanoi

For a getaway that can take you in any direction, it’s hard to top Hanoi. Intense city life meets pockets of calm in Vietnam’s capital, especially in the Old Quarter, where cyclos roll past shrines, antique shops and pho stalls. The food is the main draw, but there’s plenty to fill the days, from lakeside walks and historic landmarks to museums and markets. Beyond the city, easy day trips to Ha Long Bay or Ninh Binh serve as a scenic addition to your itinerary – or inspiration for return visits. 

Sungnyemun Gate in Seoul illuminated at dusk, surrounded by busy roads with moving traffic and modern high-rise buildings under a colourful evening sky.

Seoul

The South Korean capital moves fast, but Seoul’s 24-hour energy is tempered by centuries-old traditions and an abundance of relaxing green spaces. Royal palaces and hanok villages sit alongside morning markets, while riverfront parks, contemporary galleries, chic boutiques and incredible food lure you from one neighbourhood to the next. Start the day at Gwangjang Market, then keep things going late with fried chicken or noodles in Itaewon or Myeongdong. Add lively bars, K-pop culture and the occasional baseball game, and you’ve got the perfect place to choose your own adventure. 

Credit: tawatchaiprakobkit/Getty Images

Entrance to Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei, glowing with red lanterns and bright signage, with crowds of people and traffic passing through.

Taipei

With its myriad night markets, cafés, design stores, art and nature, Taipei packs in a lot. Thankfully, efficient transport makes it all easy to reach. Offering pepper buns, beef noodles, and stinky tofu in abundance, Raohe and Shilin – two of Asia’s best night markets – are essential stops, as is Cathay Members’ Choice Awards 2025 winner Bar Pine. Walk off the nightly feasts at Elephant Mountain for views of Taipei 101, then visit the teahouse village of Jiufen or explore the island’s dramatic east coast for unforgettable day trips. 

Credit: fazon1/Getty Images

Explore more categories

More inspiration

       

Membership/Cathay Members’ Choice Awards