One aspect provides a system and method for selecting a path for a data flow in a network. During operation, a first node receiving the data flow can determine flow information that specifies a destination node. The system estimates a Quality of Experience (QoE) value of each node based on the flow information and current operating status of each node. A management service generates a QoE topology of the network based on connectivity among the nodes and the QoE value associated with each node; determines a plurality of potential paths between the first node and the destination node, with each potential path comprising a plurality of intermediate nodes; and selects a path that provides best QoE performance based on the QoE topology. Selecting the path comprises computing a cumulative QoE value of each potential path based on QoE values of the intermediate nodes included in the potential path.