Happy Chinese New Year! According to the Chinese Zodiac calendar, 2017 is the Year of the Rooster and officially kicks off January 28, 2017 during the second New Moon after the Solstice. There will be festivities happening in cities and countries all across the globe, and after twelve months with the wit and hyperactivity of the Monkey, the New Year of the Fire Rooster is bound to bring even more surprises and excitement.
Just in case you’re wondering what your travel prospects are for the year ahead, here are some recommendations for destinations to jet off to based off your “Shengxiao.” Many believe that our Chinese Zodiac sign can tell us a lot about ourselves as human being, and depending on which animal you happen to be, it might just also inform your upcoming travel choices as well. Here is your Chinese New Year Travel Horoscope. (And by the way, here are the best places to celebrate Chinese New Year in the world).
Here's Where You Should Travel In The Year Of The Rooster
Rooster
Born in the years 1969, 1981. 1993, 2005, and of course, 2017, Roosters are flamboyant, confident types who enjoy the crowd. They adore expressing their own ideas, are always savvy on the latest trends, and in terms of traveling, savor a luxurious or more leisurely experience as opposed to high energy-consuming adventures. Try spots such as Dubai, where you can easily take full rest and refresh yourself at the array of five- and six-star luxury hotels, or other hip destinations like Brooklyn, Istanbul, Hobart (Tasmania’s capital), or Jerash, Jordan. Germany is a great pick as well, especially since you can find a raucous party scene in Berlin and a more laid back vibe in Munich.
All in all, Roosters are never picky about where they actually travel off too, but they often opt for places in which they remain well-groomed enough to show off their finest feathers. It’s just got to be cool, rad, and ultramodern.
Dog
Born in the years 1970, 1982. 1994, and 2006, Dogs are generally full of integrity and loyalty, often the most faithful of friends and the most dependable and honest of workers. They understand the value of earning money and choose to vacation in familiar destinations where they often return to year after year.
Because of the boatload of theme parks in the region, Orlando, Florida or California are fantastic fits for these family-oriented individuals, as well as kid-friendly European hotspots like France, Algarve, Spain, or Italy.
Dragon
Born in the years 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, and 2012, Dragons exhibit enthusiasm in all things they do and often own a heart of heroism. Courageous and tenacious by nature, these thrill seekers love active travel, often in the form of extreme adventures such as mountain trekking or bungee jumping—they also like to spend as little time on the road as possible, have little patience for cultural expectations, and tend to avoid countries in which dress codes or other behavioral expectations are required.
Try out a straightforward trip to sunny Cancun, where you can enjoy sand, surf, and warm breezes the second you land without any pesky visa requirements for those who hold valid U.S. passports. African safaris in Kenya or Namibia might also be fun, along with hiking in Nepal, or reaching the great heights of Mount Everest. Dragons will also adore the small but beguiling areas of Iceland, where you can rent a sturdy 4WD to hit up the iconic Ring Road. Quebec, Canada, is another stellar choice, as well as jumping in on the excitement of Venice’s annual Carnival, the Mardi Gras in New Orleans, or the European fire festival Up Helly Aa in Scotland.
Snake
Born in the years 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, and 2013, Snakes are intelligent, thoughtful, and mysterious, often with great tastes in art and design—which makes Italy, the heart and home of the Renaissance, a classic yet upscale choice. These often times graceful and soft-spoken intellectuals also enjoy learning about their destinations and tend to prefer sophisticated company and elegant surroundings in all of their travels.
Lazing in the hot sun at ritzy, beach destinations such as Palm Beach or St. Vincent are always a favorite, as well as chic city adventures closer to home in the Big Apple along Fifth Avenue and around SoHo. Be sure to check into luxury accommodations at the Plaza Hotel in Midtown or the Beekman Hotel, and don’t forget to catch a show on Broadway before snagging a reservation at Michelin-starred restaurants such as Per Se or Eleven Madison Park. For those hoping to jet further off away, a Grand Tour of Europe’s most refined cities such as Vienna or Prague is a must, as well as fully immersing yourself in total Gangnam-Style glamor while in Seoul.
Rabbit
Born in the years 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, and 2011, Rabbits are elegant, positive, and love living a life of freedom. They are always on top of the latest trends and are typically described as super artistic individuals who’ll opt to travel to places known for art, cooking, and fashion. A popular destination might be Palawan in the Philippines or browsing the flea markets of Morocco or Istanbul in which these creative types can embrace their passion for different cultures.
Closer to home, cities boasting tons of history and culture such as Charleston, Chicago, and Boston are good choices. Likewise, the charm of European hotspots like London, Paris, Rome, Prague, and Athens are great as well. To get in touch with their spiritual side, Rabbits might also consider Haridwar or Rishikesh in India, where they can get away from life’s hustle and bustle to find true inner peace. Even a week-long getaway to Peru’s Sacred Valley-- a region anchored by the lively and bustling Cusco that’s steeped with the history of the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu-- might be ideal.
Pig
Born in the years 1971, 1983, 1995, and 2007, Pigs are often broad-minded, filled with emotion, and according to “Shengxiao” theory, likely to be the most wealthy (probably because the pig is the symbol of richness in Chinese culture). Bring your luck and fortune to Sin City, or perhaps do some good by traveling to developing countries in which tourism infrastructures are less modern in order to share your riches with others not as fortunate.
Often cheerful, sociable, and warm-natured, Pigs also know how to enjoy themselves with food, drinks, and beautiful surroundings. Noted “foodie” destinations such as France, Italy, Spain, Japan, or Vietnam are good ideas, as well as the array of luxury resorts in the French Polynesia or in Thailand, where helpful services can be found around-the-clock.
Tiger
Born in the years 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, and 2010, Tigers are ambitious and always looking for an adventure that’ll bring challenges and risks. They value exploration, are go-getters, and rarely like to stay put in one place. Try national parks in Utah state such as Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Zion to unleash that inner wild, or other bragging-rights destinations that are slightly off the beaten path such as Bangkok, Dubai, and Barcelona for city breaks (or Cambodia, Vietnam, and Indonesia for backpacking). Nepal’s superb for mountaineering, while Iceland and Patagonia are stellar for sheer adventure.
Remember though that Tigers often do not like to plan vacations too far in advance, so once they discover a cheap flight, they’ll usually grab that toothbrush, passport, and just dash.
Sheep
Born in the years 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, and 2015, Sheep are incredibly sentimental, affectionate, and care deeply about others. Meek but also persistent, they are a force to be reckoned with and like to travel on the beaten path—they also are equally happy traveling alone as they are in a group (so long as someone else is the leader). For these gentle and kind individuals, destinations that provide food for thought tend to be best.
Try the calming delights of Hawaii, Thailand, or Laos. Guided tours of storied places such as Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina are also great, along with soothing trips down the Mekong River in China or Cambodia.
Monkey
Born in the years 1968, 1980, 1992, and 2004, Monkeys are humorous, open-minded, curious, and mischievous—they’re also keen at social networking and tend to stand out in any crowd. The City of Angels is a suitable spot for these individuals, as they love to be the center of attention and to seek out behind-the-scenes tours and exclusive access when traveling. Often times, their interests are too varied for non-urban environments, so other glitzy spots such as Las Vegas, Atlantic City, or Macau are ideal, as well as Mumbai and Bangkok for the night life, or Ibiza and Cancun for the beach and the clubs. Also try Istanbul for its hopping all-night party scene or anywhere else where there is plenty of excitement going on, plenty of people to talk to, and plenty more to see.
Rat
Born in the years 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, and 2008, Rats are agile, intuitive, and very romantic, often hoping for love-infused stories to bloom before their eyes. The City of Lights (and Love!), hence, is a perfect spot, as well as other charming destination like New York, Rome, or Dubai for no-expense-spared city breaks.
Also try Fiji, Barbados, or the French Polynesia for more indulgent vacations and Burma if you really want to chart into new territory. Spain and Sri Lanka are also great values for their low cost since these clever and hard-working types are known for being stellar savers who always go for the best deal.
Horse
Born in the years 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, and 2014, Horses are lively, forthright, decisive, and persuasive—often very good leaders who can always win others’ trust. Like the animal itself, they have huge hearts, don’t like to be tied down, and love being part of the herd, so they often times seek out busier destinations where there is a “more the merrier" sentiment. Try the silver sands, endless blue sea, and clear skies in Puerto Rico, or the excitement of Vancouver or Lebanon. Mongolia’s great for far-flung adventures while Algarve is a nice spot for spa breaks that’ll help bring rest and relaxation.
If you’re looking for some time with nature, there’s always Ireland—and for something a little different, try jumping onto a Mediterranean or Caribbean cruise ship where you can island hop from country to country while immersing yourself in many different worlds all at once.
Ox
Born in the years 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, and 2009, Ox are persistent by nature and realists at heart. Often diligent, practical, and not willing to waste time on trivial matters, they carry strong attachments to their home countries and enjoy exploring the travel possibilities of their native lands. As family-oriented folk, they are also partial to vacations with their spouses and children so typically prefer having set travel plans with detailed itineraries as opposed to traveling last minute or simply winging it.
Chengdu-- a central city in China and the hometown of the Panda bear-- would be an ideal spot for these “routine-lovers,” as well as the Bahamas, Portugal, and France for guaranteed fun in the sun. Those wanting a fitness vacation can opt for mountainous destinations such as the Highlands of Scotland, the Swiss Alps, the Canadian Rockies, or even the Himalayas. Volunteerism and vacations where there’s a chance to learn new skills or practice current hobbies are also popular with the Ox.
This article was written by Pamela Chan.