Kick off the Year of the Tiger with a trip to Malaysia, immersing yourself in a tropical Eden

During the Lunar New Year season, Taiwan is often cold, damp, and rainy. If you want to escape the chilly winter, Malaysia, which can be reached in just 3.5 to 4.5 hours by flight, is a great choice. Sun-soaked Malaysia is always filled with the warm glow of the southern tropics—just slip into some casual, comfortable clothes and head out for some fun in the water.

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park in Sabah boasts an underwater world rich in fish and beautiful coral reefs. Currently, the main cities in Malaysia with direct flights from Taipei are the capital Kuala Lumpur and Sabah. A direct flight from Taipei to Kuala Lumpur takes about 4.5 hours, while a direct flight to Sabah takes only 3.5 hours. This year, airlines have launched their first-ever luxury direct flights to Kuching, the capital of Sarawak. The entire journey takes just 4.5 hours, allowing you to immediately explore this tropical paradise of blue seas, clear skies, abundant sunshine, and romantic charm. The newly opened Sarawak charter flights eliminate the hassle of layovers in Kuala Lumpur or Sabah, letting travelers conserve more energy to enjoy their holiday abroad.

Ethnic Chinese are one of the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia, so the Chinese Lunar New Year is a major celebration there. The first and second days of the Lunar New Year are also public holidays in Malaysia, and people of all ethnicities—Chinese, Malay, and Indian—join in the festivities. However, traditional Malaysian New Year celebrations are quite similar to those in Taiwan. For example, in addition to family reunions and reunion dinners, one of the most unique customs is “Renri” (Human Day) on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, which celebrates the birthday of all people. On this day, the Chinese community also participates in “Yee Sang tossing,” hoping for a prosperous new year where fortunes “rise higher and higher.”

Starting in February each year, Malaysia enters its best weather season. At the start of the Year of the Tiger, why not head to Sabah to explore its amazing underwater world, enjoy the warm sandy beaches and summer vibes of Langkawi, wander through the tropical jungles and rich natural ecology of Sarawak, or relax by the azure waters of Chenderoh Bay, leaving all your worries and fatigue behind? TransAsia Airways has specially launched inaugural Lunar New Year charter flights to Kuching, Sarawak, with flights scheduled for February 13 and February 17. Don’t miss this opportunity. For more travel information, visit the official website of Tourism Malaysia.

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Further reading: An Alternative Marine World Tour (provided by Tripass Attractions)