Hard work and dedication can get you far in life, but a little luck now and then doesn’t hurt. When you’re in need of a charming backdrop, some good fortune and once-in-a-lifetime memories, charter a private jet and head to Asia. The charmed destinations highlighted in this post are equally beautiful and propitious.
Hong Kong, China
Amid the hustle of Hong Kong is the Wong Tai Sin Temple where travelers from around the globe to pay tribute to its namesake, Wong Tai Sin. Wong was a monk during the fourth century that, legend says, became a deity. Travelers offer their petitions at the temple—which is home to Buddhists, Taoists and Confucianists—with hopes of divine guidance and good fortune. Some say that when you pay a visit, all your wishes come true as soon as you request them. The shrines within the temple symbolize the five main elements: Bronze Pavilion (metal), Earth Wall (earth), Archives Hall (wood), Yue Heung Shrine (fire) and Yuk Yik Fountain (water).
Erawan Shrine | Bangkok, Thailand
When you visit Thailand in your private jet, you’ll find shrines, temples and ruins that are thousands of years old. However, it is a modern shrine that brought luck in the midst of deaths and calamities. In 1956, a series of injuries, deaths, budgetary problems, endless delays and other mishaps (like the loss of a shipload full of Italian marble) occurred to those involved with the building of the formerly government-owned Erawan Hotel (now the Gran Hyatt Erawan). To ward off the bad karma, the hotel’s contractor built a shrine to Brahma with a statue of Phra Phrom. Upon the shrine’s completion, the accidents stopped and the hotel became a hotspot for good luck. Travelers visit the shrine for protection and good luck.
Luang Prabang, Laos
The Laotian city of Luang Prabang in the northern part of the country would is named after a famous image of Buddha from Cambodia. The city is full of temples and monasteries. According to legend, the UNESCO World Heritage site received it good fortune when Buddha took a short vacation from his travels in the city. The Buddha predicted that the town would be an affluent and powerful city. In the 13th century A.D., Luang Prabang became a powerful Laotian kingdom and along the Silk Road, offering a stunning reflection of Asia’s history of religion and trade.
Fushimi Inari Taisha | Kyoto, Japan
At the head of the Inari shrine in Kyoto, Japan is the Fushimi Inari Taisha. The Shinto shrine honors the god of rice (Inari) and sits at the base of the Inari Mountain. The ancient Japanese viewed Inari as the patron of business that brought manufacturers, merchants and entrepreneurs prosperity and wealth if they donated a torri. A torri is a traditional gate, and several painted in orange and black line the footpaths of Fushimi Inari Taisha. When you donate a torri to the shrine, someone will paint your name and the amount donated on the posts. To receive this honor, you must donate at least $4,275.
Huanglong, Sichuan | China
Huanglong means “yellow dragon” in Chinese, making the city in northern China and those in it automatically lucky. Huanglong is in the Min Shan Mountain Range and is popular for its natural attractions, particularly the crystal clear, colorful hot springs with waterfalls and caves in the travertine landscape. The length of the travertine pools is 3.6 kilometers and its shape is like a dragon wheeling through the mountain range. While visiting Huanglong, keep your eyes on the forest canopy because it’s the home of the Giant Panda, the country’s national treasure.
About Solairus Aviation:
Solairus is a US-based private aviation services company whose core business is assisting aircraft owners with the safe, reliable, and efficient management and operation of their aircraft. Our services are customized to meet the client’s individual travel and financial requirements, and to support their flight operation with the highest standards of safety and personalized service, regardless of the location of the aircraft.
Solairus was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Solairus has over twenty-five base locations across the United States, Europe and Asia, employing more than two hundred flight crew and support personnel to operate a fleet currently numbering over fifty aircraft. Solairus is an Aviation Research Group/US Platinum-Rated and Wyvern Wingman certified charter operator. Solairus has also received the NBAA Commercial Business Flying Safety Award and is an IS-BAO stage two certified company. Solairus offers a full range of services in addition to aircraft management, which includes aircraft charter sales, aviation support services, and consulting. For more information about Solairus Aviation, visit www.solairus.aero or call 800-359-7861.