Best places to visit according to your Chinese zodiac sign 2025

Holidays can be more enjoyable if planned around your Chinese zodiac sign and personality. Discover these less-trodden destinations in grand style.

Enjoy a scenic hot air balloon ride over the temples of Bagan.

Chinese astrology builds on your birth year, imbuing it with deeper meaning that extends well beyond the arbitrary 365-day cycle. A reassuring diversion and remedy for daily stresses, it purports to help us understand the relationship between numinous phenomena and human interactions. Divination is crossing from the margins into the mainstream because, when clarity is in short supply, drawing conclusions from earthy flecks at the bottom of a tea cup or deciphering enigmatic sayings wrapped in a crisp cookie simply will not do.

Studying the positions of celestial objects can yield insights into a person’s personality and, in turn, the experiences that harmonise with our true selves. The reign of the Snake is an opportune time to explore new territories on the map, bringing not just a change in scenery but also a profound shift in perspective. You do not have to be a planetary zealot to travel based on the cosmic blueprint — consulting starry alignments can be a refreshing excuse to break free from habits and comfort zones. Step forward with purpose and you may just uncover the energy that will carry you into the year ahead.

 

RAT
Creative, resourceful and sociable

True earth dwellers, Rat archetypes are the artist, the gourmand and, most notably, life of the party. Natural explorers who enjoy roaming vibrant cities, they are enticed by pockets of creativity. The year of the Wood Snake encourages the intrepid, honed by an innate sense of resourcefulness and readiness to pivot at a moment’s notice, to balance social pursuits with introspection.

Make haste to Kanazawa, Japan, in the Ishikawa Prefecture where ancient beauty fuses with modern art. Many parts of this old city, dubbed “The Little Kyoto”, have been left intact, including a feudal-era castle, former samurai mansions, ninja temples and geisha districts (the Higashi Chaya near the Asano River is the largest). Creative souls are being pulled in by the town’s range of temptations, complemented by award-winning edifices: The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art — designed by 2010 Pritzker Prize winners Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa — is anchored by permanent displays of Leandro Erlich’s Swimming Pool and Olafur Eliasson’s Colour Activity House. For a glimpse into the natural world, filled with a different kind of architectural intrigue, visit the national treasure Kenrokuen Garden, justifiably ranked one of the country’s “three most beautiful gardens”. The landscaping, which captures the allure of all seasons, is defined by yukitsuri, a rope technique that ties tree branches into dramatic pyramid formations to brace them against heavy snowfalls.

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Higashi Chaya District

 

OX
Reliable, practical and determined

Affected by the energy of the Wu Wang, an elemental affliction that incurs illness and hostility, Oxen should exercise caution when participating in water-based activities. Fear not, as the Snake smiles upon the troubled and will do all within its power to point them in the safe direction. Self-investment will pay off grandly for those willing to break through the ordinary.

Avoiding the sea will not dampen the spirit of the resilient Ox, whose pragmatic and thoughtful demeanour is better suited for historical endeavours that provide intellectual stimulation and a sense of purpose. Croatia’s Dubrovnik, a diminutive old town nestled within sturdy medieval fortifications and perched like a jewel on the azure Adriatic, beckons with its Baroque influences and storied grandeur. Take a 2km walk around the battlements of the city walls, originally built in the 13th century, before resting your tired feet at any of the alfresco coffee shops lining the Stradun, a 300m-long white limestone-paved promenade. Should you wish to indulge in the likes of a Finnish sauna or a phyto-aromatic facial after meal, simply check into the Hotel Excelsior, a five-star landmark once frequented by Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Roger Moore and filmmaking titan Francis Ford Coppola.


TIGER
Confident, energetic and bold

The months ahead may court conflicts, requiring Tigers to rein in their roar and practise patience without overcommitting to obligations. Their confidence and pride may push them to pounce on new opportunities, but this is also a period to pause as well as reflect. Staying close to water will restore clarity, helping them navigate obstacles with a focused mind.

Making a full recovery from the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the British Virgin Islands is welcoming back some of its most lavish resorts. Among them is the family-owned Bitter End Yacht Club, set to unveil a growing collection of timber-clad bungalows that elegantly cantilever over the Caribbean Sea. Take advantage of the sun-dappled beach, now enhanced with a new water sports centre equipped with a fleet of sailboats and paddleboards to help you make the most of the ocean’s waves. Alternatively, surrender yourself to seclusion at Peter Island Resort, which reopened in December after a full restoration, featuring a 10,000 sq ft spa and swanky beachfront villas.

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Bitter End Yacht Club

 

RABBIT
Perceptive, sensitive and calm

Soft steps lead to profound changes, the stars seem to whisper, urging the Rabbit to avoid sudden leaps and embrace the ebb and flow of life’s rhythm with grace. Faraway lands hold the promise of personal discovery, with each journey offering a chance to reconnect with one’s innermost desires. This year is one of quiet victories, especially in matters of health.

Lanai is often overlooked in favour of its more famous Hawaiian neighbours like Maui and Oahu but that is only because you have not experienced what a Four Seasons Resort set on 24 acres of pure pikake-scented paradise can deliver. Described as an exclusive art-filled enclave that meets a Japanese forest ryokan, the Sensei Lanai — co-founded by a medical professor and biomedical researcher — touts bespoke wellness programmes tailored to individual needs: expect massages that incorporate thermal imaging, a food menu crafted in collaboration with Nobu, an onsen garden, and tech flourishes to monitor your fitness level and sleep patterns. Its signature treatment Aquatic Bodywork (or watsu, for water shiatsu) involves deep stretches that relieve muscle tightness, promoting a sense of weightlessness that leads to emotional release.

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Sensei Lanai

 

DRAGON
Devoted, shrewd and passionate

Riding the winds of opportunity with confidence and flair, Dragons are set to blaze a trail, with career fortunes taking a dramatic upswing and promotions on the horizon. They may find themselves taking on high-stakes projects and stepping into roles that allow them to demonstrate their visionary ideas, earning respect from both colleagues and superiors.

Exploring financially robust destinations is thought to be auspicious for those bearing this zodiac sign. Offering a first-hand glimpse into the pulse of global commerce, Hong Kong — where every corner holds a story, and every moment feels cinematic — may be the de rigueur choice for those seeking a mix of business and leisure. However, in recent decades, Guangzhou has proven itself a worthy contender. In fact, it promises a more relaxed atmosphere and greater affordability without compromising on cosmopolitan comforts. Head to one-Michelin-starred Lingnan House at Rosewood Hotel for roast goose and Shunde minced fish soup; take in the city view at 450m above ground via the “world’s highest Bubble Tram”; and plan a stroll along Shamian Island to marvel at its restored colonial architecture.

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Bubble Tram

 

SNAKE
Charming, goal-oriented and intuitive

A new lunar calendar year signifies the shedding of old habits and slithering into a journey of transformation. Locales with rich histories and spiritual significance will particularly attract the Snakes, igniting their deep-seated passion for knowledge and learning. Stay vigilant in crowded and chaotic places — those who embark on solo sojourns will be rewarded with a sense of fulfilment.

Bordering Myanmar and Bangladesh, the scenic state of Assam should be on everyone’s bucket list. Recognised as the gateway to Northeast India, it is known for its ancient burial mounds (Charaideo Maidams), which accentuate the natural topography of hills and water, forming a sacred geography. Constructed during the Ahom dynasty between the 13th and 19th centuries, this recently inscribed Unesco World Heritage Site features 90 maidam — hollow vaults built of brick, stone or earth — that contain the remains of kings and royals. Weather permitting, take a detour to the state’s world-famous tea gardens and Kaziranga National Park, home to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros.

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Charaideo Maidams

 

HORSE
Free-spirited, adaptable and pioneering

Love for the open road will not stop Horses from galloping into a spontaneous future and embracing the wanderlust in their hearts. Hard-pressed to resist the call of the unknown, they will be rejuvenated by the sense of liberation that discovery brings. Just be mindful to balance the thrill of spur-of-the-moment excursions with meaningful downtime.

A playground for both mind and soul, the ancient land of Bagan, Myanmar, is teeming with monasteries, gilded Buddha statues as well as temples that rise above red soil amid emerald green vegetation. The Shwesandaw Pagoda affords a towering vantage point from which one can observe the sun casting a crimson glow over the plains. Viewing this Unesco World Heritage Site at sunset is a privilege not only reserved for birds — catch the last wisps of daylight during a hot-air balloon ride as you float above a sea of majestic pagoda spires, undulating hills and winding rivers.

 

GOAT
Empathetic, nurturing and principled

Career prospects may come trotting into your life unexpectedly, especially in creative or social settings. Networking will be key, so do not be afraid to “butt heads” with others to spark ideas. Goats feel most at ease during intimate getaways or nooks where they can carve out a moment of privacy. Cultural hotspots and artistic stimuli will be your muse.

Challenge your assumptions and interrogate the narratives that shape us at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, especially after its Michael C Rockefeller Wing reopens on May 31 following a major renovation. Featuring over 1,800 works spanning five continents, the collection will showcase certain highlight pieces in innovative ways within a refreshed gallery setup, enhanced by either filtered daylight or state-of-the-art sloped glass wall on the south façade, adjacent to Central Park. The MET is also, fittingly, presenting Celebrating the Year of the Snake, an exhibition drawn from the museum’s archives that explains the significant role the ancient creature plays in Chinese civilisation. Through 3,000-year-old bronze ritual vessels and an 18th-century painted porcelain cup that illustrates the romance between humans and the supernatural, the serpent reveals its role as both a divine messenger and a fantastical force in art and myth.

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

MONKEY
Quick-witted, agile and self-assured

Instead of swinging between uncertainties and leaning on impulses, Monkeys are urged to plunge into new depths and dig beneath the surface. They may crave some time away from life’s ongoing demands, and there is no better way to escape that than luxuriating in the breeze on an island, where the freedom of playing castaway awaits.

Take a deep dive at Indonesia’s Raja Ampat and partake in the serenity of gliding among yellow boxfish and purple gorgonian sea fans. The underwater terrain is as diverse as it is awe-inspiring — imagine pristine reefs, mysterious caves and sprawling drop-offs that seemingly disappear into infinity. This kaleidoscopic natural haven, also a rare conservation success with more reef manta rays spotted recently, lures divers with a contrasting tapestry of nature both in and out of the water. Trek into the jungle to discover the striking Wilson’s bird of paradise, distinguishable by its vibrant plumage and elaborate courtship displays.

 

ROOSTER
Organised, observant and attentive

Sharp wit and intelligence make Roosters excellent problem-solvers but their perfectionist tendencies can lead to petty squabbles. Prevent these pitfalls by adopting a proactive approach to rekindling relationships, whether by creating memories or bonding over an escapade that invigorates the senses. For those with a refined palate, let your taste buds be your compass to the very best culinary offerings the world has to offer.

Peck your way through Dubai, which has attracted its share of big-name chefs such as Anne-Sophie Pic, Jean Imbert and Dani Garcia. Much like the skyline in this ambitious city, the restaurant scene is ever-evolving: Orfali Bros Bistro — an unassuming Middle Eastern spot helmed by three brothers at the corner of Jumeirah’s Wasl 51 — is one of the few establishments leading the movement for inventive Arabic cuisine. Although two of the siblings are trained in classic French patisserie, they have crafted a stellar rotation of pastries, buns, éclairs and desserts that defy categorisation. Across town, on the roof of a quiet residential tower in Al Satwa, is the 12-seater omakase concept Moonrise. Syrian-French chef Solemann Haddad puts together a degustation menu bolstered by dishes such as Pani Puri with Szechuan chili oil and 36-month-aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, accompanied by Hokkaido milk bread.

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Omakase at Moonrise

 

DOG
Faithful, optimistic and supportive

Dogs are predicted to make significant strides in their current profession, charting steady progress towards financial goals. But monetary matters are not the only gains — personal improvement is expected to grow exponentially, be it via newly acquired hobbies or rediscovered interests from the past. This is the perfect time for unscripted fun and reunions with loved ones while sniffing out new experiences together.

Some trips require more fortitude than others, and the activity in question is cycling along the 285-mile Sicily Divide. The self-guided bike tour, which runs from Trapani on the west coast to Catania on the east, is created to draw people to areas of Sicily that suffer the most from depopulation. Make no mistake: the climbs are steep, relentless and plentiful, with the ascent to Enna, Italy’s highest provincial capital, being the most challenging. Yet, the routes encompass all the thrills a cyclist could desire in a backcountry adventure — small towns with a slow pace of life, cliff-hugging observatories, family-owned vineyards and a chain of unique accommodations run by locals.

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The Sicily Divide

 

PIG
Devoted, honest and cool-headed

Setting boundaries is crucial as family members expect those born under this zodiac sign to behave with extra affection and attention. Moreover, pressure to outperform others at work can easily lead to burnout. Hence, fostering a harmonious environment in the office, without hogging all the limelight, will be fundamental to ensuring long-term career stability.

It is surprising what a meditative train ride can do to restore some alone time. Hop on the Andean Explorer (a Belmond Train), which transports passengers through the Andes at 14,000 ft, between Arequipa and Cusco, on one- or two-night journeys. There are only 35 cabins on board, each outfitted with alpaca wool blankets and handwoven fabrics to keep you toasty. If money is no object, sign up for Railbookers’ “Around the World By Luxury Train”. It is returning with another elaborate itinerary, this year featuring 59 days of travel through 12 countries and 20 cities. For an eye-watering €116,455, you will depart from Vancouver on Sept 3 starting in The Rocky Mountains and passing through Scotland, Italy, Paris, Türkiye, India as well as South Africa, before arriving in Singapore.'

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Andean Explorer


This article first appeared on Jan 20, 2025 in The Edge Malaysia.

 

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