15 of the world’s most dynamic cities

An ancient pavilion on West Lake in Hangzhou, China.

Nicknamed “Paradise on Earth,” this city’s urban tale centers on explorer Marco Polo, who arrived in the 13th century and said, “The city is beyond dispute the finest and noblest in the world.” Tourists can expect to see idyllic gardens, hills great for hiking, Jingci Temple and Leifeng Pagoda.

Mecca, also known as the Forbidden City, is an icon of religious and historic importance for Muslims. The old quarter is the original heart of Mecca and retains its ambience of old Arabia. According to the Lonely Planet team, seeing Muslims pray in the direction of the Kaaba, the center of Islam’s most sacred mosque, is an unforgettable spiritual experience.

Mount Yoshinoyama in Nara, Japan, is seen at twilight in spring.

Less than an hour by train from Kyoto and Osaka, this city was the first capital of Japan, so it’s full of shrines, gardens and temples -- including eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Nara, you can feed the deer in the park, enjoy the Lantern Festival in February and drink sake from the place of its birth.

This is a panoramic view of Split from the cathedral campanile. The Old Town is the main attraction on this peninsula that juts into the Adriatic Sea. Island hopping, snorkeling and rock-climbing are all available, as well as nearby Klis, a “Game of Thrones” filming location.

A perfect day in Tel Aviv, according to Lonely Planet editors, entails eating an ice lolly on Tel Baruch Beach, then heading over to the street of artists (Nachalat Binyamin) for a look at their work alongside street performers. The day concludes with a stroll down Rothschild Boulevard to look at Bauhaus architecture and getting a drink at the Max Brenner Chocolate Bar.