Bangkok lost its top spot as Asia's

Bangkok lost its top spot as Asia's best destination in a poll based on the survey of Travel + Leisure magazine readers.

With a score of 88.32, the capital was toppled by Kyoto, which scored 90.21.

The Japanese ancient capital rose from the second in the 2013 survey and was also voted as the world's top destination overall this year.

Bangkok dropped to the third on the Asia list, also overtaken by Siem Reap, with a score of 89.82, rising from the 4th place last year.

For the US and Canada, Charleston, South Carolina, remains the top city while Mexico City leads on the Mexico and Central and South America list.

In Europe, Florence replaced Istanbul at the top while Jerusalem beat Cape Town in the Africa and the Middle East ranking.

Sydney remains at the top spot on the Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific ranking.

The survey gave scores to each city based on votes received from readers. Poll participants were asked to judge destinations on a variety of factors including culture, arts, food and value for money.

Respondents were screened to remove travel-industry professionals from the vote, according to the magazine’s website.