More Air Routes for Beijing, Koryo Heads to Tajikistan

So we're done talking about Spring Festival travel for another year. Either you're on your way, not going anywhere, or leaving it until so late that won't need or want advice from us, so, have fun. Now on to real spring travel.

Just in time for warmer weather, Beijing has started regular air service to the Seychelles and non-stop charter flights to Fiji. The two tropical island destinations aren't anywhere near each other, but demonstrate the economic power of the outbound Chinese traveler.

Our friends over at Koryo Tours are adding Tajikistan to their list of destinations. A highlight of a tour in this little-visited Central Asian nation is buzkashi, part of the Persian New Year celebrations. They describe it thusly: "The buz [the carcass of a goat] is around 50lbs, head cut off a day or so in advance and sewn up and soaked in water – the riders have to pick it up and drop it between two mounds of earth. As you try and ‘score’ the other riders will do all they can to rip the carcass out of your hands. There are a number of matches throughout the day." Cool.

The first departure will be March 24. Visit their Tajikistan page for more information.

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Photo: Wikimedia