Gongxi gongxi, welcome to the year of the monkey! Our in-house sifu Tony Fernandes is here to share the perfect holiday destinations according to your Chinese zodiac.
Rat (1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008)
The first animal on the Chinese calendar, the rat is often associated with wit, vitality, and flexibility. They thrive on healthy social lives, and can easily fit into new environments. A rat person will enjoy cities like Hong Kong or Shanghai that can satisfy their need to revel in an exciting atmosphere.
Ox (1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009)
As someone who values family and work, an ox will be difficult to convince to take a break and go on a holiday. They also tend to prefer familiarity, so perhaps a domestic holiday is the way to go. Lucky directions for ox people are south or southeast, so depending on where they are located, maybe a trip to Johor Bahru, Krabi, or Cebu will be most auspicious.
Tiger (1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010)
A symbol of bravery and power, a tiger is one who accepts challenges without complaints. My mate Richard Branson’s one of them. They also like to be the centre of attention, so a trip doing adventurous stuff for bragging rights on Facebook would probably entice them, like a bungee jumping trip in New Zealand or scaling up the heights of Mount Bromo in Indonesia.
Rabbit (1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011)
Rabbits are lovable beings, bringing a sense of cheerfulness and harmony wherever they go. They also tend to be artistic and have a sense of style, which makes kitschy cities like Chiang Mai or Yogyakarta perfect spots for a chill out weekend trip for these bunnies. Both are famous for historic temples and crafts, which means there will be no shortage of souvenirs to bring home.
Dragon (1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012)
A fantastical creature, a dragon is (I am one myself). This is a sign that is ruled by ambition, dominance, and intelligence (clearly!). A person from a dragon year likes to live in extremes, soaking in the good and bad of everything. It would be great for them to visit India, experiencing the yellow cab-laden traffic of Kolkata, celebrating Holi Festival in Jaipur, or visiting ancient temples and sites in Visakhapatnam.
Snake (1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001)
They are sensitive yet wise, intuitive and also secretive. A snake is also one with a penchant for the finer things in life, so a sea and sun vacation in the Maldives is simply perfect for them.
Horse (1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002)
To be born in the horse year means that the person is popular with lots of energy and high self-esteem. Their outgoing nature makes a horse loves crowds, revelling in it every chance they can get. This high energy is best to bring when vibrant places like Beijing or Bangkok. Maybe even the AirAsia boardroom.
Goat (1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003)
A person born is the year of the goat is often shy and sensitive. Goats have a special fondness for quiet living, so a trip to the countryside where there is a lot of greenery such as the interior of Sabah from Kota Kinabalu or secluded Luang Prabang in Laos would be like soul food for them.
Monkey (1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004)
Mischievous, lively, and always in the lookout for more, a monkey is hard to pin down to any certain place. Their flexible ways make it easy for them to go out and about, so an Asean Pass is the way to go. With plenty of trip-planning options with the Asean Pass, a backpacking trip covering several destinations in one go will certainly make a monkey happy.
Rooster (1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005)
A rooster person is active, hardworking, and enjoys the outdoors. They can be a little bit eccentric, and are very particular when it comes to time. These early morning beings can head to the Land of the Rising Sun, to destinations with lots of history, cultural attractions, and four wonderful seasons such as Tokyo, Osaka, or Sapporo.
Dog (1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994)
Dogs are loyal, sweet, and sincere. They enjoy lots of happiness and always look on the positive side of things, yet they are also independent and are not afraid of difficulties in life. An off-the-beaten-path track is what they crave, for example island hopping around Gili Islands off the coast from Lombok or traversing Bagan’s ancient temples.
Boar (1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995)
A person born in the pig year has a natural way of communicating with people around them, making them fun travel companions. They are often associated with wealth and prosperity, and tend to enjoy sleeping, eating, and pretty much all the good things in life. A relaxing holiday in beachfront cities like Da Nang, Busan, or Sydney are best for piglets.
