Life & Arts

SWATCH Group AG’s profit tumbled last year as the watchmaker grappled with persistent weakness in China and declining watch exports to the key US market following the imposition of tariffs. 

Operating profit fell 56% to 135 million Swiss francs ($175.6 million) in 2025, below analyst estimates of 198.3 million francs, the company said in a statement Friday. Sales dropped 1.3% to 6.3 billion francs from the previous year. 

Still, Swatch gave an optimistic outlook for 2026, saying it “expects substantial growth for the year” in all price segments. 

The group has faced a tough couple of years, which squeezed profit margins. The watch industry was jolted earlier this year when President Donald Trump levied tariffs of as much as 39% on imports from Switzerland — the highest rate applied to any developed economy. The duties were retroactively reduced to 15%, still well above historical levels. –BLOOMBERG

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The traditional dugout houses are attracting tourists, raising hopes of saving the village 

by ANI SANDU 

THEY call Rogojeni the “hobbit village”, and its little half-buried houses, built to resist Moldova’s cold winters and hot summers, do look like something from “The Lord of the Rings”. 

The traditional dugout houses have put the shrinking settlement on the tourist map and locals hope they may also help to save it. 

“We do fear that the village could disappear, considering that there are so few people left,” said mayor Ruslan Groza, with only 30 people left in a hamlet that once had a population of 200. 

“My goal is to develop this locality, build roads, repair where possible the houses that can be preserved and develop tourism,” he told AFP. 

Rogojeni is one of the last villages that still boasts the low stone “basca” houses built into grassy hills, with their small doors forcing people to stoop down when they enter. 

More and more tourists are coming after one of the dwellings was repaired and opened to visitors in 2020, said Groza. 

A South Korean student was visiting when AFP went to the village two hours north of the capital Chisinau earlier this month. He had even been invited to join a pig roast by locals ahead of the Jan 7 Christmas celebration. 

Such customs are “hard to see” elsewhere, said Sangkyoung Lee, 22, who looked amazed as smoke rose from the burning hay covering the pig as snow fell all around. Inside the house-turned-museum, polenta with sheep cheese and pickles were served around a table in a small room with an arched entrance and blue walls decorated with traditionally hand-sewn carpets in lively colours. 

Exodus 

While mayor Groza, a 46-year-old history teacher, takes pride in the “immense cultural 

heritage” of the village, he admits most of it has been left to decay, like an old school and church of which only the outer walls remain. 

With tens of thousands of Moldovans emigrating every year mostly to the European Union (EU) countries for a better life, many villages have become ghost towns. 

Since 2014 Moldovan villages have lost almost half a million inhabitants, according to a 2024 census, with a million Moldovans estimated to be living abroad.

But the mayor’s wife, Mariana Groza, 45, is optimistic, insisting that villages will “revive along with tradition”. 

A literature and French teacher, she started an embroidery and traditional costumes workshop, posting her work on TikTok. 

“I have loved this craft since childhood. Not a day goes by without me sewing a cross-stitch or crocheting something. If I don’t, the day passes in vain for me,” she said. 

“We must promote traditions.” 

Singing and Dancing 

Together with other women from the village, including two grandmothers over 80, she sang traditional carols in front of the museum, ringing a bell while a man played the accordion, as part of the pre-Christmas celebration. 

On one of the more joyous songs, the two grandmothers hugged each other and started dancing and cheering. 

“When I got married here, there were lots of people, there were children, the village was beautiful,” Maria Ardeleanu, one of the two women, told AFP. 

“Now there’s no one left. Just us, a bunch of old women,” she added, saying she enjoys talking to tourists who want to know what it’s like to live in the “basca”. 

“I tell them during the summer it is cool, it’s nice inside. And in winter it is warm and I don’t go out much,” she said. 

When the carols ended, the singers threw wheat grains to the listeners to wish them prosperity. 

Ardeleanu’s dance partner counted the ones she caught. 

“Eight,” she said cheerfully. “Tradition says that’s how many years I’ve still got to live.” — AFP

• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

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by SARAH RAPPAPORT 

THE author Bill Bryson was right. One morning in Dorset, this writer opened the curtains at her hotel and took in the verdant landscape leading down to the coast. “For miles around, the Dorset hills rolled and billowed like a shaken-out quilt settling onto a bed… in the distance, the sea, bright and vast and silvery blue, it was beautiful beyond words.” Bryson wrote those words some 30 years ago in his beloved travelogue, Notes From a Small Island. They still felt true, even in chilly December. 

This writer was peering out of her window in the Louma Country Hotel, a new property on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast with 17 rooms dotted around a main farmhouse, cosy stone barns, converted stable blocks and timber cabins. Driving to Louma from her London flat took 31⁄2 hours, about twice as long as it takes to get to her usual haunts in the Cotswolds. 

This writer loves the Cotswolds. The problem is, so does everyone else. During peak times, it’s overcrowded with Americans trying to live out their fantasies from Nancy Meyers’ The Holiday. Tour buses jam up tiny country lanes so often, there’s talk of banning them altogether. Locals grumble about high-profile Americans, from JD Vance to Ellen DeGeneres directing the world’s attention to their small towns. And visitor numbers are rising: Both the number of short-term rentals and occupancy in the Cotswolds rose in 2025, with the latter up 4.4%, according to data the analytics platform AirDNA shared with Bloomberg. 

Compared to bustling, land-locked Cotswolds villages like Bourton-on-the-Water, the seaside towns of Dorset feel undiscovered by foreign tourists. (Occupancy in short-term rentals in Dorset rose just 1.1% in 2025, while the numbers of listings decreased by 1% in the same period, according to AirDNA.) 

There’s no Dorset equivalent of the Cotswolds’ Estelle Manor, an über-glamorous members club and hotel, whose visitors sometimes arrive by helicopter. Dorset is harder to reach and less flashy. That’s its charm — it has all the history, heritage and countryside views, but fewer crowds. 

That’s partly because it’s one of the few English counties without a motorway (what American visitors would call a freeway). Our little Volkswagen Polo had to navigate winding stretches of single-lane country roads in a winter storm to get there. 

But Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel outfit Black Tomato, said he’s seeing more curiosity from Americans about England’s south coast. “It is quieter than the Cotswolds, a little less polished in the best possible way, but genuinely stunning and right on the water,” Marchant said. “You still get deep history, but with cliffs, beaches and sea air.” 

Dorset and neighbouring East Devon are perhaps best known for the Jurassic Coast, a 95-mile (152.88km) seaside stretch that tells the story of 185 million years of Earth’s natural history. Its rocky outcrops and fossils date back to the time of the dinosaurs. 

The Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage site, is home to the iconic Durdle Door, a rocky arch formed by waves eroding the limestone over the years. The name comes from the Old English word “thirl,” meaning to pierce, bore or drill. 

Black Tomato’s Marchant said he spent childhood summers here fossil hunting on its ancient beaches. He brings his daughters now, and his company offers fossil-hunting tours with local experts. 

You probably won’t find museum-worthy dinosaur remains, but many beach-goers take home bits of ancient ammonites, extinct cephalopods related to the octopus. While sunny days may feel more pleasant, storms bring better fossil-hunting. 

But it’s not all crisp air and ancient rocks. Dorset is also known for its food. Louise Chidgey is the co-owner of Brassica, a beloved restaurant and design shop on the town square in Beaminster, 25 minutes from Louma. She moved to Dorset from London 11 years ago, wanting a change of pace. What she’s found is that you can go for miles on a walk without seeing any housing estates or new developments. Outside the peak summer months, it doesn’t get too busy. Her restaurant’s menu serves food bought only from farms and fishermen within 15 miles. 

Rosalyn Wikeley, a writer in West Dorset, recommends the Parlour, a rural gem in Burton Bradstock that offers wood-fired pizzas in a rustic setting and hearty Sunday roasts on the site of a former milking parlour. Its address is just “Bredy Farm,” providing a potential adventure to anyone driving down on a GPS. The restaurant re-opens on Valentine’s Day after a January break. 

Dorset is Thomas Hardy country — the author’s heart is buried here — and tourists can stop by for a pint at the Acorn Inn, a 16th-century institution in the small village of Evershot mentioned in Tess of the d’Urbervilles. Expect oak beams, roaring fires, four-poster beds and a menu of fish and chips and other pub classics. Guests who stay the night are likely to find a copy of Hardy’s book in their room. 

There isn’t a surge of luxury hotel construction in Dorset the way there is in the Cotswolds, so Louma’s opening was significant to the region’s tourism scene. This writer’s stay was a delight, featuring what she has come to love from countryside retreats: Wellies for walking, hearty English breakfasts, tours of the farm where she met a flock of friendly sheep, pasture-to-plate cuisine and miles of walking trails leading, in this case, to the coast. 

Louma owners Louis and Emma Steyn say there’s something about Dorset that encourages you to slow down and reconnect with nature, family or yourself. That’s what every great countryside retreat offers, but it’s getting harder to come by. While the Cotswolds has been called a billionaire’s playground, Dorset feels quieter internationally, especially in the offseason, even if Brits have long loved it as a summer escape. 

For now. That’s the dilemma in promoting Dorset to readers. A surge in visitors could dispel some of the magic. But this writer suspect the lack of fast trains and the longer drive down from London are a natural obstacle to the overtourism happening elsewhere. She doesn’t expect to read headlines about Beyoncé buying a property or a US VP taking their vacation here. 

For those willing to put in the work, Dorset’s charms make it a fabulous alternative. The only other person this writer saw on one morning walk was a local with his Labrador. This writer left her rural weekend feeling restored. — Bloomberg

• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

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GEORGE TOWN — The Penang state government has approved a State Declaration Gazette designating 10 traditional dishes and six intangible cultural heritage items as state heritage.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the approval was granted by the State Executive Council on Dec 10, 2025, after all nominations underwent a detailed screening and evaluation process by the Intangible Cultural Heritage (Sociocultural) Expert Committee, before being endorsed by the State Heritage Council.

“Penang has long been known as a state rich in history and cultural diversity, shaped by the harmony of its multiracial society that has formed the state’s unique identity.

“These heritage elements, including food, festivals, customs and sociocultural practices, constitute Penang’s cultural treasure trove that deserves to be preserved and safeguarded for future generations,” he said at a press conference to announce the gazettement of intangible cultural heritage items as state heritage at Komtar here today.

He said the 10 traditional dishes elevated as state heritage are nasi kandar, pasembor, char kue kak, oh chien, kerabu bihun, Hokkien mee, mee udang, mee sotong, mee Jawa and roti benggali. 

Meanwhile, the six recognised intangible cultural heritage items are the nasi kandar culture, kopitiam culture, the Thaipusam procession, Chingay procession, St Anne’s Feast in Bukit Mertajam and the Tanjong Penang Malay dialect.

He said these items hold historical and cultural value, having been part of the Penang people’s lives as early as the 19th century and remaining relevant to this day.

“The gazettement is not only to preserve and conserve the state’s cultural heritage, but also to promote Penang’s uniqueness to both local and international communities, in line with the Penang2030 aspirations and the Malaysia MADANI framework,” he said.

He said that the gazettement is also a strategic step to ensure that heritage practices handed down through generations are not eroded by rapid development.

“The gazettement process was carried out in a structured manner via the Penang State Heritage Commissioner’s Office, which identifies, documents and nominates state heritage for official recognition,” he also said.

According to Chow, all 16 items will be officially declared during the Kenduri Warisan programme in conjunction with the State Heritage Declaration, scheduled to be held in the near future.

He also expressed hope that more of Penang’s cultural heritage treasures will be identified and elevated as state heritage going forward, to ensure that the state’s identity and uniqueness continue to be preserved for future generations. — BERNAMA

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GEORGE TOWN — The Penang Hill shuttle bus service between Komtar and Bukit Bendera Station here will operate free of charge for four days starting from Feb 16 to 19 in conjunction with the upcoming school holidays.

The Penang Hill Corporation (PBBPP) in a statement announced that the service, which will start from 9 am to 9 pm with a frequency of eight trips daily, is being implemented in collaboration with Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd as well as support from the state government.

PBBPP informed that passengers can easily identify the shuttle bus as it will be clearly marked as “Penang Hill Free Shuttle Service” and the pick-up and drop-off points will feature clear visuals to make the shuttle service easily recognisable.

“The main objective of the initiative is to reduce traffic congestion in the area around Bukit Bendera and it also aims to promote green initiatives by reducing carbon emissions in the state in line with the state’s Penang 2030 Vision to create a Smart and Green Family-Centric State Inspired by the Nation,” according to the statement.

According to PBBPP, to date, more than 10,000 passengers have used the service and the number of passengers has increased significantly each year with an increase of 45.7 per cent during the Chinese New Year from 2024 to 2025 and an overall growth of about 82 per cent since its launch.

“The consistent increase in the number of passengers highlights the popularity of the free shuttle service among locals and visitors and it also shows the success of PBBPP’s efforts in improving accessibility and encouraging the use of public transport to reduce traffic congestion,” it said.

Apart from reducing traffic congestion, the shuttle service aims to improve the overall visitor experience by reducing travel time and avoiding the hassle of finding a way and parking. — BERNAMA

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KHABY Lame, the world’s biggest TikToker, partnered with Rich Sparkle Holdings Ltd. to transform his 360 million social-media followers into a commercial venture.

The $975 million deal gives the Nasdaq-listed financial services firm 36 months of exclusive global rights to Lame’s brand, moving him from influencer to “equity-backed creator,” according to a company statement. Lame has 160 million followers on TikTok, compared with 156 million for Charli d’Amelio, who ranks as the second-highest popular person on the platform.

Lame, who’s risen to fame with wordless videos simplifying everyday life hacks, has built a global following of 360 million people on TikTok and Instagram, according to the statement. The commercialization of his fan base is expected to generate more than $4 billion in annual sales, the company said.

The deal includes the partial sale of Lame’s Step Distinctive Ltd. to Hong Kong-based Rich Sparkle, which plans to grow the 25-year-old Italian-Senegalese national’s influence through brand collaboration and co-branded products in beauty, fragrance and apparel. 

It will also feature an AI version of Lame, using his expressions, voice and gestures to create multilingual social media content.

Before signing up Lame, Rich Sparkle’s main focus was financial printing and corporate services primarily for listed companies and institutional clients in Hong Kong. –BLOOMBERG

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GEORGE TOWN — Every Thaipusam in Penang, Hindu devotees smash thousands of coconuts along the procession route of the golden and silver chariots in fulfilment of vows.

The ritual is not only observed by Hindu devotees but also attracts participation from Chinese and Bengali communities, as well as foreign tourists, who are willing to wait for hours beside the coconut piles before the arrival of the chariot carrying Lord Murugan and the ‘vel’ (spear), the deity’s sacred weapon.

Few realise that each coconut broken tells a story of hard work, prayers, hopes and family heritage, involving a chain of preparations that begins much earlier, especially for coconut suppliers.

For 41-year-old coconut supplier M. Joel Jayachandran, who has been in the business since he was 18, it is more than buying and selling; it is a family legacy that has lasted nearly 30 years alongside his father.

He said preparations for Thaipusam coconut supplies usually begin more than a month in advance, involving the selection of fruit at the plantation, cutting, husking, packing and delivery from the estate in Bagan Datuk, Perak, to Penang. 

“For Thaipusam, preparations begin at the plantation. We start over a month ahead, then bring the coconuts to my shop in George Town about a week before the festival,” he told Bernama recently.

The owner of Joez Coconut said demand rises during Thaipusam, with 50,000 to 80,000 coconuts prepared annually depending on orders.

He said this year’s supply is more stable than last year, which saw shortages, but stressed that the price remains RM2.50 per coconut, whether on normal days or during the festival.

Joel Jayachandran said customers pay close attention to the size and suitability of coconuts for ritual.

“They need coconuts small enough to hold in one hand, as larger ones could slip and hit someone. ‘Mawar’ coconuts are preferred for their medium size, unlike the bigger ‘kampung’, ‘mataq’ or Indonesian coconuts,” he said. 

The father of two said one of the challenges is last-minute orders, which complicate the preparation process, as well as weather conditions; his plantation was flooded last December, causing delays.

He said for those who come without prior orders, they are always ready with a sales station on the day of the chariot procession, a day before Thaipusam.

Although the coconut business remains relevant, he acknowledged that the biggest challenge now is a shortage of labour for heavy tasks such as husking and processing coconuts. Nevertheless, he believes that traditional businesses like these still have a bright future if managed properly.

Asked about the disposal of coconuts after the ceremony, he said suppliers do not reclaim broken coconuts; disposal is handled entirely by the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).

Hindu devotees will celebrate Thaipusam on Feb 1 to commemorate the event when Lord Murugan received the sacred spear from his mother, Goddess Parvati, to defeat the evil powers of Soorapadman and restore prosperity and well-being to mankind. — BERNAMA

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PARIS – Victoria Beckham escaped the bitterness of a family feud with a trip to Paris on Monday to receive an award from the culture ministry for her contribution to the fashion and entertainment industries.

The former Spice Girl, after a weekend celebrating “Baby Spice” Emma Buntun’s 50th birthday, headed to the French capital with husband David and her children — except Brooklyn — to be named a “Officer of the Order of the Arts and Letters.”

The ceremony at the culture ministry was kept under wraps to avoid a scrum of journalists or onlookers after explosive claims about the Beckhams by eldest son Brooklyn last week.

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati praised Beckham as “a global icon that holds a very special place in the hearts of French people”. Dati paid tribute to Beckham’s “meticulous, almost architectural” approach to clothing, according to a copy of the speech sent to AFP.

After starting with shows in London and New York, Beckham has been unveiling the new collections for her label in Paris since 2022.

“Through your journey, your work, and your commitment, you have woven a deep, sincere, and lasting bond with France,” Dati told the 51-year-old singer-turned-designer.

Brooklyn Beckham deepened a rift with his parents after writing on social media last week that they had tried to “ruin” his relationship with his wife.

In a highly personal post that confirmed a long-rumoured falling out, Brooklyn claimed Victoria Beckham “hijacked” his first dance on his wedding day and danced “inappropriately on me”.

Video of Monday’s ceremony by Paris Match magazine showed David Beckham and the rest of the his clan looking on and applauding, along with French fashion bosses Antoine Arnault and Francois-Henri Pinault.

The Order of the Arts and Letters is reserved for figures judged to have contributed to France’s cultural life and is separate to the more prestigious Legion of Honour (“Legion d’honneur”), the state’s top award.

President Emmanuel Macron decorated Louis Vuitton designer and rapper Pharrell Williams with a Legion of Honour last Friday at a private ceremony attended by US rappers Pusha T and Future.

Former England captain David Beckham received a knighthood from King Charles III in November in what he called his “proudest moment”. –AFP

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PARIS – The threat posed by plastic production, usage and disposal to human health will skyrocket in the coming years unless the world does something to address this global crisis, researchers warned Tuesday.

A British-French team of researchers attempted to cover all the different ways that plastic affects health, from oil and gas extraction during production to all the products that end up in landfills.

However they said that their modelling study still does not take into account an array of other ways plastic could harm health, such as microplastics or chemicals that can leach out of food packaging.

“This is undoubtedly a vast underestimate of the total human health impacts,” lead study author Megan Deeney of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine told AFP.

The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health, said it was the first to estimate the number of healthy years of life lost due to the lifecycle of plastic worldwide.

The researchers used a measure called DALYs, which represents the number of years lost to either early death or diminished quality of life from illness.

Under a business-as-usual scenario, the number of DALYs caused by plastic was projected to more than double from 2.1 million in 2016 to 4.5 million in 2040.

Planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production had the biggest health impact, followed by air pollution and toxic chemicals.

Public health crisis

Deeney gave the example of a plastic water bottle.

Like more than 90 percent of all plastic, its production begins with the extraction of oil and gas.

A series of chemical processes then transform those fossil fuels into Polyethylene terephthalate — or PET — which the bottle is made from.

Deeney pointed out that a stretch of more than 200 petrochemical plants involved in plastic production in the US state of Louisiana is known as “cancer alley”.

Once made, the plastic bottle is transported across the world to a shop.

Then it gets chucked in the rubbish — or littered.

Despite recycling efforts, most plastic ends up in landfills where it can take centuries to decompose, leaching out chemicals during that time, Deeney said.

The researchers also modelled a scenario where the world tried harder to fight the health effects of plastic.

They found that plastic recycling made little difference.

The most effective measure was reducing the amount of “unnecessary” plastic created in the first place, Deeney said.

Talks to seal a world-first treaty to fight plastic pollution fell apart in August under opposition from oil-producing countries.

However Deeney emphasised that countries can still act at a national level to address this “global public health crisis”. –AFP

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RWG blends modern storytelling and immersive experiences with traditional festive warmth

by AKMAR ANNUAR

CHINESE New Year (CNY) has a way of turning even the most practical families into soft-hearted planners, the sort who debate reunion dinner timings with boardroom-level seriousness, then agree anyway, because the season only comes once a year.

At Resorts World Genting (RWG), that festive pull is being reimagined as “CNY in the Sky”, a resort-wide celebration that frames reunion, renewal and shared joy as something you do above the clouds, where mountain air carries laughter further.

Sales, Marketing and Public Relations executive VP Spencer Lee put it simply, describing CNY as being about “coming together”.

That spirit of togetherness runs through the resort’s approach, delivered with more than red lanterns and photo backdrops. RWG leans heavily into storytelling and immersive experiences, giving the festivities a pulse that feels modern without losing traditional warmth.

The celebration’s anchor is a Chinese New Year 2026 brand film, a festive narrative inspired by cultural traditions and seasonal moments, crafted to keep the spirit familiar while giving it a refreshed visual language.

It also signals that this is not merely a decorative season at Genting, but a curated one — where the atmosphere is meant to be felt, not just seen.

That promise is underscored by the Genting SkyWorlds Immersive Studio, recently recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records as the country’s highest-altitude immersive attraction. High altitude is already part of Genting’s identity, but placing an immersive studio here feels perfectly fitting, as if imagination itself needs the thin air to expand.

This writer was most excited about the immersive attraction, partly because immersive experiences often overpromise, and partly because the idea of stepping into a CNY story above the clouds is a bold, unforgettable swing.

It turns out the swing connects.

CNY-themed immersive video at the Immersive Studio, where visuals and seasonal storytelling unfold like a festival in motion

Guests at the launch experienced a CNY-themed immersive video at the Immersive Studio, where visuals and seasonal storytelling unfold like a festival in motion.

The experience is available for Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park visitors from Jan 9 to March 3, making it more than a one-day novelty — a reason to plan a proper holiday around the festive stretch.

Inside, the storytelling does not feel like an advertisement pretending to be art.

It feels like a narrative you can step into, with visuals that pull you forward and graphics so crisp they seem almost tactile.

This writer loved the storytelling and the graphics, and the most surprising part was how quickly the mind stopped registering “screen” and started sensing “space”. 

At one point, this writer felt like she was galloping along with Tian Ma, the sensation lingering like a theme park ride — the brain knows you are safe, but the heart reacts as if it is real.

Tian Ma is the official mascot for CNY2026 and the newest member of the Genting’s Highland Heroes, embodies the Horse zodiac’s spirit of progress and forward momentum.

On paper, mascots can feel like branding accessories, but in this case, Tian Ma works because the character is treated as part of the narrative world, not merely a costume for photo opportunities.

There is also a quieter creative flex behind the film itself, developed by Ampersand Advisory in collaboration with director Chew Boon Wai — a detail that signals the brand’s treat festive storytelling as craft, not filler.

None of it feels accidental.

And, as always during CNY, the story leads back to the table.

The launch offered a preview of the season’s culinary highlights, with attendees sampling festive treats — RWG’s reminder that even the most dazzling visuals cannot replace the joy of what you eat and share.

This writer’s favourites were not the grand, show stealing dishes, but the smaller bites that carry tradition in disguise.

She loved the seaweed sesame roll, savoury and crisp, with a nutty sesame fragrance that wrapped around her like a warm hug. Equally irresistible was the deepfried Nyonya ball with lemongrass, its vibrant aroma cutting through the richness and giving each bite a bright, nostalgic feel.

Both evoked her favourite Chinese cuisine — not just the flavours, but the intimate feeling of food meant to be shared, where a single snack can carry the same emotional weight as a full reunion feast.

Running until Feb 16, the Flower Market gives visitors time to dive into the festive rhythm

That sense of intimacy continues at the RWG Flower Market at SkyAvenue, where Flavours of Genting bursts with colour and aroma. Rows of golden pineapple tarts, creamy durian tarts and other traditional treats sit alongside glossy confectioneries and vibrant seasonal essentials, inviting families to explore, taste and linger.

Running until Feb 16, the Flower Market gives visitors time to dive into the festive rhythm — everyone insisting they are “just looking” while already juggling bags brimming with goodies.

This writer had a brief but memorable chat with Chef Ong Lai Ann during a live cooking session at the Flower Market. He shared that all the ingredients and vegetables were freshly prepared on-site in Genting — a small but reasuring detail that made the market feel less like a pop-up and more like a living part of the resort, where food cared for, prepared and presented as part of the festive atmosphere.

RWG’s food programme also caters to larger gatherings, extending beyond immediate family to the full circle of friends and colleagues. The celebrations kick off with the Sau Gong Dinner, an appreciation event for corporate and enterprise partners, followed by the Hoi Gong Dinner, marking an auspicious start to the year as employees return to work.

For larger reunions, the Genting International Convention Centre offers pork-free banquet packages until March 31, including five Deluxe Rooms at First World Hotel with a minimum booking of five tables.

The resort’s dining outlets come alive with festive menus and promotions from Feb 16 to March 3, spanning venues including Old Friends Restaurant, Season, Genting Palace by Crockfords and FUHU, while Coffee Terrace serves a CNY buffet designed to capture the season’s sense of abundance.

And because prosperity is as much about celebration as it is about hope, yee sang is available from Jan 16 to March 3, inviting guests to toss for luck and abundance in the same joyful, chaotic spirit that families embrace each year — even if the volume of blessings is always up for debate.

Beyond food, RWG treats the season like a living calendar, with entertainment and activities designed to keep guests moving from one festive moment to the next.

Highlights include Peak Fortune, the CNY Eve countdown show on Feb 16, featuring DJ Soda and other acts across Arena of Stars, Madison Square and Gohtong Way from 10pm to 12.30am.

Prosperity shows follow on Feb 17 and Feb 18, with Choy San Yeh and fairies dance, lion dance stunt shows, LED performances and lucky draws, scheduled at 3pm, 6pm and 8pm at Arena of Stars.

Guests can also enjoy a lion dance parade, a Chin Swee Deity birthday celebration at Chin Swee Cave Temple on Feb 22, and the ongoing Chin Swee Cave Temple bazaar, adding a cultural layer for those who prefer their festive holiday with a touch of ritual and tradition.

For visitors who enjoy like Genting’s theatrics, “Snowfall @ Liberty Lane” runs from Feb 14 to March 8, offering a spectacle that perfectly complements the season’s sense of wonder.

The result is a celebration that feels like a stitched together a single, unfolding journey rather than a series of scattered events, with immersive entertainment, festive dining, retail browsing and cultural performances woven into one, elevated narrative.

That cohesion matters because CNY is not experienced in isolated moments.

It is felt as a flow — the build-up, the anticipation, the loud nights, the slow mornings, the small snacks between meals, the unplanned photos, the spontaneous conversations that turn into memories.

This is why the immersive studio stands out.

It does not just show a story, it gives the season a sense of movement. Perhaps that is why this writer’s favourite moment was not a stage performance or a dining spread, but the brief, surprising sensation of galloping alongside Tian Ma, as if the Year of the Horse could be felt in the body rather than merely symbolised on banners.

The resort is also entering a milestone year, with 2026 marking Resorts World Awana’s 40th anniversary, and CNY in the Sky feels like an opening statement — a signal that RWG intends to make the year busy, festive and experience-led.

For travellers, Genting offers more than a quick festive escape.

It provides a setting where families can gather, eat well, watch the countdown, browse the market and step into an immersive story that makes the season feel newly alive.

For this writer, it also means CNY 2026 now carries a vivid sensory memory: The sharp brilliance of high-altitude graphics, the surprising realism of a gallop and the simple comfort of a seaweed sesame roll and a lemongrass-scented Nyonya ball that somehow tasted like the best parts of home.

In a season built on togetherness, that may be the most fitting takeaway of all.

• This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

The post CNY in the Sky lets you ride the Year of the Horse appeared first on The Malaysian Reserve.