Chinese cruise ship to feature Ferrari race track
A new cruise ship designed specifically for the Chinese market will feature the world’s first onboard Ferrari-branded race track.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has formed a partnership…
Browsing Category
China Travel News
Historic Shanghai airport to become helicopter hub
Shanghai's former Longhua Airport will be transformed into the city's first helicopter airport, the Shanghai Daily reports.
Scheduled to open by early 2019, Longhua Helicopter Airport…
Air China suspends North Korea flights
Air China has suspended some of its flights to the North Korea, as tensions between Pyongyang and the rest of the world start to simmer.
Initially, China's state-run broadcaster,…
Shanghai plans third airport
Shanghai is planning to build a new airport to relieve pressure on Pudong and Hongqiao, an official has revealed.
The Shanghai Daily reported Jiang Huaiyu, director of the East China…
Where to Stay: New hotels in KL, Shenzhen, Sydney and more…
Mercure Kuala Lumpur Shaw Parade
Location: Pudu, on the fringe of KL's Bukit Bintang retail and entertainment area
Grade: Upper-midscale
Keys: 213
Facilities: Restaurant, lobby…
First Chinese airline flies to Mexico
China Southern Airlines has become the first Chinese carrier to fly non-stop to Mexico.
Asia's largest airline in terms of passenger traffic, China Southern is aiming to tap the emerging…
HNA makes bid for Singapore’s CWT
China's HNA Group has made a bid to acquire CWT Ltd, the Singapore-based logistics company.
CWT confirmed on its website that HNA Belt & Road Investments, a subsidiary of the Chinese…
Sofitel lures Chinese guests to Fiji
Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa is aiming to capitalise on the growing outbound Chinese tourism market by rolling out new specialist amenities.
Under the resort's latest strategy, guests…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Jakarta, LA, Bangkok, Shanghai, and more…
Ayana Midplaza Jakarta
Location: The site of the former InterContinental Midplaza Jakarta on Jalan Sudirman
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 366
Facilities: Seven F&B outlets, spa, 24-hour…
Asian air route updates: new flights from SilkAir, SpiceJet and more…
Korean LCC connects to Vietnamese coast
Where? Deagu (South Korea) to Danang (Vietnam)
When? Five times a week, effective immediately
Who? T’way Airlines
Why? Low-cost carrier taps the…
Shanghai to build major riverside culture park
Authorities in Shanghai have revealed plans to develop a large cultural park on the banks of the Huangpu River.
The Shanghai Daily reports that the 2km² park Expo Culture Park will be…
AccorHotels caters for Chinese guests with UnionPay
To cater for the rising number of Chinese visitors to France, AccorHotels has started accepting UnionPay International as a payment method at some of its French properties.
Under the…
Airbnb could cooperate with Chinese rival
Airbnb is in talks with Chinese home-sharing company Xiaozhu, regarding a potential collaboration.
The state-run China Daily reported Chen Chi, CEO of Xiaozhu, as saying that the two…
AIDA makes maiden call in Shanghai
AIDAbella has become the first cruise ship in the AIDA fleet to sail past Shanghai's high-rise skyline, before the ship docked at the city's International Cruise Terminal at 0630 on Sunday…
China Southern doubles London flights
China Southern Airlines will double the frequency of its flights to London this summer, with the launch of a second daily service direct from Guangzhou.
Commencing on 1 June 2017, the…
China gets two new UNESCO World Heritage sites
Two new Chinese sites have been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
The forested area of Hubei Shennongjia in central China and Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape in…
Where to Stay: our round-up of new hotels in Bangkok, Samui and more
137 Pillars Suites Bangkok
Location: From the 24th to 32nd floors of a tower on Sukhumvit Soi 39 in central Bangkok, close to the Emquartier and Emporium shopping malls
Grade: Luxury…
Princess Cruises unveils new luxury Chinese ship
Princess Cruises has taken delivery of the Majestic Princess, its new luxury cruise ship designed specifically for the Chinese market.
The ship was officially handed over to Princess…
Thailand bids to bring more MICE from China
Thailand is targeting mainland China in an effort to enhance its MICE sector in 2017.
This week, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) kicked off the fourth edition of…
Norwegian Joy embarks on journey to China
Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Cruise Line’s first ship custom-designed for the Chinese market, began its journey to Shanghai this week.
The brand new liner departed the Meyer Werft…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Thailand, China, UAE and more…
Grand Mercure Zhengzhou West
Location: Overlooking Donglin Lake, a scenic area close to the Zhengzhou, the capital of central China's Henan province
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 180…
Asian air route updates: new flights to Sydney, Bangkok, Nha Trang and more…
New Chinese connection for Thailand's Hat Yai
Where? Kunming (China) to Hat Yai, pictured (Thailand)
When? Three times a week, effective 1 April 2017
Who? Kunming Airlines
Why?…
China Southern in tie-up talks with US airline
China Southern Airlines is in talks with American Airlines over a possible tie-up, according to reports.
Reuters said this week that the agreement could involve the US carrier taking…
Thailand hosts fam trip to mark new “Phuket Express”
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has teamed up with Thai Airways to celebrate the launch of the national carrier's new Beijing-Phuket flights.
The new route marks THAI's first…
Shanghai airport to emerge from major facelift
Shanghai's Hongqiao International Airport will reveal the results of a major facelift on Sunday, when its newly-revamped Terminal 1 reopens to the public.
The renovation project got…
New Chinese-backed airline launches in Cambodia
A new airline has taken to the skies in Cambodia.
JC International Airlines, which is part-owned by Yunnan Jingcheng Group, the Chinese company that also operates Kunming-based Ruili…
Asian air route updates: Virgin Australia, Thai Lion, Air India and more…
Bangladesh gets low-cost Dubai link
Where? Dubai (UAE) to Sylhet (Bangladesh)
When? Four times a week, effective immediately (rising to six per week in May 2017)
Who? Flydubai
Why? New…
Marriott brings new collection to China
Marriott International has introduced another of its hotel brands to China.
The Shanhaitian Resort Sanya has joined the Autograph Collection, Marriott's group of independently-branded…
China to build 136 new airports
The Chinese government will construct 136 new airports by 2025, it has been revealed.
The China Daily cited "government sources" as revealing the plans on Wednesday, saying that the new…
Aussie flyer injured by headphone fire
A woman suffered burns to her face after her headphones caught fire on a flight to Australia.
Channel NewsAsia reports that the passenger was listening to her own battery-operated…
China’s HNA invests in Asiana owner
China's HNA Group, which owns Hainan Airlines, has agreed to take a stake in Kumho Asiana Group, the parent company of South Korea's Asiana Airlines.
The Korea Herald reports that HNA…
Chinese group opened 700+ hotels in 2016
Huazhu Hotels Group, a major budget chain and AccorHotels' partner in China, opened more than 700 hotels in 2016.
The Shanghai-based company revealed this week that it added a total…
Chinese competition puts Cathay Pacific in the red
Fierce competition, including a sharp rise in international flights from mainland China, severely impacted Cathay Pacific's finances in 2016.
The Hong Kong-based group, which includes…
China drives Gold Coast tourism to 1m visitors
Australia's Gold Coast set a new record for international tourism last year, attracting 1.03 million visitors in the 12 months to December 2016.
The latest International Visitor…
Asia’s mega-populations drive hotel development
Asia's three most populous countries also now have the region's largest hotel development pipelines.
According to the latest monthly report from STR, there are now a combined total of…
Asian air route updates: Malindo’s new Australian route, West Air flies to Japan, and more…
New Macau charters for Cambodia Angkor Air
Where? Sihanoukville (Cambodia) to Macau (China)
When? Twice a week, effective immediately
Who? Cambodia Angkor Air
Why? New charter service…
Universal Studios Beijing to be “35% Chinese”
The new Universal Studios theme park currently under construction in Beijing will incorporate 35% of "Chinese elements", Beijing Business Today reports.
The newspaper cited Duan…
Asian air route updates: New flights to Bali, Okinawa, Barcelona and more
Another direct Chinese connection between Bali and China
Where? Fuzhou (China) to Denpasar (Indonesia)
When? Daily, effective 26 March 2017
Who? Xiamen Airlines
Why? Fujian province’s…
Chinese giant Caissa reveals new inbound tours
Caissa Tourism Group, the Chinese travel giant operated by the HNA Group, used this week's ITB Berlin to introduce 12 new inbound routes.
Designed to "boost inbound tourism from…
Hainan plans to become global medical tourism hub
The Chinese island of Hainan is planning to become one of the world's top medical tourism destinations.
The China Daily reported the island's governor, Liu Cigui, as saying that Hainan…
Merlin confirms Shanghai Legoland plans
Merlin Entertainments, the global theme park operator, has confirmed plans to bring its Legoland brand to China.
The Shanghai Daily reported one of Merlin's Chinese executives as…
Major new airport terminal opens in Tibet
The second-largest airport terminal in Tibet started operating on Monday.
The China Daily reports that the new terminal - the sixth to open in Tibet - is located at Nyingchi Mainling…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Bali, Thailand, China, Brazil and more
Maison Aurelia Sanur by Préférence Hotels
Location: Slightly set back from the beach in the Sanur district of Bali, not far from the airport
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 41
Facilities:…
Chinese Joy as Norwegian expands in Asia
Norwegian Cruise Line’s first ship designed specifically for the Chinese market has emerged from the shipyard in Germany.
The 168,800-tonne Norwegian Joy has been under construction…
ITB previews inaugural event in China
The organisers of ITB China have organised a preview event ahead of the travel trade show's inaugural edition.
The first ITB China is due to take place in Shanghai from 10-12 May 2017…
China plans “super park” for tiger conservation
A province in northeast China is planning to build a huge national park to protect the country's endangered Siberian tigers.
The Xinhua news agency reports that the forestry…
Asian air route updates: Vistara, China Southern, Air Niugini and more
Vistara flies to Amritsar
Where? Delhi to Amritsar, pictured (both India)
When? Daily, effective immediately
Who? Vistara
Why? Tapping rise in trade and religious tourism traffic…
Where to Stay: new hotels from Banyan Tree, Movenpick, Hard Rock and more…
Banyan Tree Jiuzhaigou
Location: In a UNESCO-listed mountainous area, 2,500 metres above sea level in southwest China’s Sichuan province
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 209
Facilities:…
IT&CM returns to China this month
The Incentive Travel & Convention Meetings (IT&CM) event will return to China this month, to provide a platform for the country's booming MICE industry.
The three-day event will…
HNA to bring Chinese tourism boom to Vanuatu
Vanuatu, the island nation in the South Pacific, has received a major tourism boost following the signing of an agreement with HNA Tourism Group, the Chinese travel giant.
The new…
Southern “Great Wall” uncovered in China
The remains of a major defensive wall have been uncovered in China's Hunan province.
Xinhua revealed that the wall, which "resembles the Great Wall" according to reports, stretches for…
Asian air route updates: AirAsia, Spring Airlines, Vistara and more
China Eastern expands operations in Sapporo
Where? Nanjing (China) to Sapporo, pictured (Japan)
When? Twice a week, effective 26 March 2017
Who? China Eastern Airlines
Why? Another new…
Asian air route updates: Cathay Pacific, flydubai, China Southern and more
Dubai's LCC adds Bangladeshi route
Where? Dubai (UAE) to Sylhet (Bangladesh)
When? Four times a week, effective 15 March 2017
Who? flydubai
Why? Rising trade between two Islamic…
Virgin Australia to fly to China in major HNA deal
Virgin Australia will launch its first ever flights to China - including Hong Kong - as part of a major alliance with China's HNA Group.
First announced in May 2016, the partnership…
Carnival to order first Chinese-made cruise ships
Carnival Corporation has penned a deal for its first ever cruise ships to be built in China and designed specifically for the needs of the Chinese market.
A joint venture between the…
Tibet targets 25 million tourists this year
Tibet is expecting to welcome more than 25 million tourists this year, approximately 9% more than it received in 2016.
The China Daily reported the region's tourism administration as…
First ITB China fully booked
The inaugural edition of ITB China is now fully booked, three months before the event opens.
The new travel trade show, which is dedicated to the Chinese travel industry, takes place…
Marriott brings new hotel brand to China
Marriott International has introduced another new hotel brand to China with the addition of a resort in Shanghai.
The Tribute Portfolio, which was originally created by Starwood, has…
Asian air route updates: AirAsia, Tigerair, Jetstar Pacific and more
Chinese travellers get more flights to Malaysia
Where? Guangzhou (China) to Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
When? Twice a week, effective immediately
Who? Sichuan Airlines
Why? Chinese carrier…
Western China to get new LA links
A pair of new air routes will soon start connecting Los Angeles with the two largest cities in Western China.
Hainan Airlines is planning to launch new trans-Pacific services from…
Asian air route updates: Tigerair Taiwan, Sichuan Airlines and more
Jeju gets new budget service from Taiwan
Where? Taipei (Taiwan) to Jeju, pictured (South Korea)
When? Twice a day, effective 28 March 2017
Who? Tigerair Taiwan
Why? Low-cost carrier…
Star adds longer cruises from Shanghai
Star Cruises is adding a series of longer voyages from Shanghai, allowing passengers to include Tokyo and Mount Fuji in their itineraries.
The new seven-night, eight-day voyages will…
Where to Stay: New hotels in China, the US, Vietnam and more
The St Regis Changsha
Location: On the 48th to 63rd floors of one of the tallest skyscrapers in Changsha, the capital of China's Hunan province
Grade: Luxury
Keys: 188
Facilities:…
Museum to be built on ruins of ancient Chinese capital
A new museum and park will be developed on the ruins of the capital of the Xia dynasty in central China, Xinhua reports.
Located near the modern day city of Luoyang, Henan province, the…
Shanghai’s Juneyao Airlines plans for long-haul future
Juneyao Airlines, the Shanghai-based carrier, is moving ahead with its long-haul expansion plans, as it targets the launch of new routes to the US and Europe.
The airline has…
Asian air route updates: Air Canada, AirAsia, Air China and more
Air Canada launches Montreal-Shanghai
Where? Montreal (Canada) to Shanghai (China)
When? Daily, effective immediately
Who? Air Canada
Why? National carrier continues to expand…
Radius Travel adds new Asian agencies
Radius Travel has expanded its network of travel agencies in Asia, with the addition of new members in mainland China and Vietnam.
Nanjing-based DaTang Plus and En Viet, which is…
Hard Rock reveals details of first hotel in China
Hard Rock Hotels has confirmed that its first hotel in mainland China will open this summer, located in the southern city of Shenzhen.
Forming part of the Mission Hills golf…
Asian air route updates: Cebgo, IndiGo, Air China and Malaysia Airlines
Cebgo provides first ever flights to Tablas
Where? Manila to Tablas (both the Philippines)
When? Four times a week, effective immediately
Who? Cebgo
Why? Designed to stimulate traffic…
Shanghai set for cool new mega-attractions
Shanghai will soon become home to a series of snow-themed attractions, with the launch of new mega-projects in the city.
The Shanghai Daily reports that a huge polar-themed ocean park…
China’s Fuzhou gets direct connection to New York
The city of Fuzhou in southeast China is now connected to New York following the launch of a new trans-Pacific air route this week.
On Wednesday 15 February 2017 at 0915, Xiamen…
Chinese demand “fills gaps” in seasonal Samui
A rising number of direct flights from mainland China is helping the Thai island of Koh Samui fill the gaps in its traditionally seasonal tourism sector, a new report has found.…
China to get first Hyatt Centric hotels
Hyatt will bring its new lifestyle hotel brand, Hyatt Centric, to China in the coming years.
The company revealed plans for the Hyatt Centric Boao Gold Coast and Hyatt Centric Sanya…
China starts fingerprinting foreign visitors
The Chinese government has started taking the fingerprints of international visitors to the country.
The programme was launched this week by the country's Ministry of Public Security,…
New Chinese passenger airline launches in Harbin
A new passenger airline took to the skies in northeast China on Friday (10 February 2017), Xinhua reports.
Longjiang Airlines, which is based in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang…
500 people gather for New Year family photo
More than 500 people with the same ancestors gathered in China recently for a huge family photo.
UPI News reports that the group, made up of members of the Ren family, came together in…
Shanghai Disney eyes 10m visitors in first year
The Shanghai Disney Resort has received around seven million visitors since its opening in June 2016, and could reach 10m in its first 12 months of operations, senior officials have…
Nepal Airlines adds new Chinese aircraft
Nepal Airlines has continued the process of bolstering its fleet with the arrival of two new Chinese turboprop aircraft.
The national carrier, which has suffered from lack of aircraft…
Asian air route updates: Uzbekistan Airways, Jetstar, Tibet Airlines and more
New link between biggest cities in Uzbekistan and Pakistan
Where? Tashkent (Uzbekistan) to Lahore (Pakistan)
When? Twice a week, effective immediately
Who? Uzbekistan Airways
Why?…
Rail Europe starts selling tickets via Alitrip
Rail Europe has continued to expand its operations in China with the signing of an agreement to sell tickets via Alitrip, the travel arm of e-commerce giant Alibaba.
Having opened a…
Phuket tourism boosted by Russian rebound
Russian arrivals to Phuket have now rebounded, but the crackdown on so-called "zero-baht" tourism from China has hindered growth.
According to a new report from C9 Hotelworks, total…
Where to Stay: New hotels in China, Thailand, Hawaii and Florida
Hyatt Regency Xiamen Wuyuanwan
Location: Part of an upscale complex in the centre of the city, in southeast China's Fujian province
Grade: Upper-upscale
Keys: 301
Facilities:…
China’s new passenger jet set for maiden flight
China's new passenger aircraft, the COMAC C919, could make its maiden flight in the first half of this year, it has been revealed.
The state-run People's Daily reported a senior…
China creates huge new national park
China will start to create a huge new national park this year in the western province of Qinghai, Xinhua reports.
The new Sanjiangyuan National Park will cover an area of…
Taiwan sets new tourism record, despite Chinese slump
Taiwan welcomed a record number of international visitors in 2016.
New data from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau reveals that a total of 10.69 million travellers visited the island last…
Asian air route updates: China Southern Airlines, AirAsia X and more
THAI expands connections with neighbour
Where? Bangkok (Thailand) to Kota Kinabalu, pictured (Malaysia)
When? Daily, effective 26 March 2017
Who? Thai Smile
Why? Long-awaited direct…
Chinese take 350m trips in New Year tourism boom
Chinese nationals took more than 350 million trips during the seven-day Spring Festival holiday period, which marked Lunar New Year.
According to official data from the China National…
Shanghai welcomes 4.5m visitors in holiday week
Shanghai welcomed almost 4.5 million visitors during the seven-day Lunar New Year holiday, city officials have said.
Data release by the Shanghai Tourism Administration, reported by…
Asian air route updates: Lion Air, Air India Express, and more…
Lion Air adds more services to KL
Where? Surabaya (Indonesia) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
When? Three times a week, effective 16 February 2017
Who? Lion Air
Why? Expanding trade between…
Peninsula takes off with Chinese private jet tours
The Peninsula Hotels has teamed up with Imperial Tours, the high-end Chinese tour operator, to offer its guests the chance to experience some of China's top attractions by private jet.…
Chinese tourism soars over New Year holiday
More than a quarter of a billion domestic trips were taken in China during the first four days of the Lunar New Year holiday, official data has revealed.
According to statistics from…
Star Cruises reveals details of Shanghai season
Star Cruises has revealed plans to homeport one of its cruise ships in Shanghai this summer.
From July to October 2017, the 75,300-tonne, the 13-deck SuperStar Virgo cruise ship will…
Chinese investment to revamp Great Barrier Reef island resort
An upscale resort in the Great Barrier Reef will undergo a multi-million dollar revamp, funded by its Chinese owners.
The China Capital Investment Group (CCIG) will spend AU$50 million…
Ethiopian Airlines plans Asian treble
Ethiopian Airlines will add three more Asian destinations to its route map in the first half of 2017.
The national carrier will start flying to Singapore, Jakarta and Chengdu as part…
Etihad flies latest aircraft to Far East
Etihad Airways has unveiled plans to fly its newest aircraft to three major cities in the Far East.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier will take delivery of nine more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in…
Finnair brings Alipay onboard for Chinese passengers
In an industry first, Finnair will introduce Alipay services onboard its aircraft.
As part of its continued efforts to woo more Chinese travellers, the Finnish national carrier will…
Where to Stay: New hotels in India, Indonesia, China, the US and more
Oaks Bodhgaya
Location: In the Indian town of Bodhgaya, a UNESCO site where Buddha is said to have found enlightenment
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 78
Facilities: Gymnasium, a rooftop…
Qantas adds new capital connection to China
Qantas’ Asian expansion strategy took another step forward today (25 January 2017) with the relaunch of direct flights to China’s capital city, Beijing.
The Australian national carrier…
Chinese expect virtual theme parks
The majority of Chinese theme park visitors expect to be able to enjoy virtual or augmented reality rides and interact with robots in future, a new report has found.
The survey by Omnico…
Chinese real estate company invests in Banyan Tree
Banyan Tree has formed a new joint venture with Vanke, the Chinese real estate company.
Under the partnership the two companies have created Banyan Tree China (BTC) to take control of…
BA ramps up China in-flight services
British Airways has made a number of changes to the service customers will receive on flights to and from China and Hong Kong.
New dark blue slippers will be introduced in Club World…
Hainan Airlines covers Italy with new codeshare
Hainan Airlines has formed a new partnership with Alitalia that will provide Chinese travellers with connections to multiple destinations across Italy.
The Chinese carrier already…
Asian air route updates: Gulf Air, Vietjet and more
Gulf Air starts flying to Sri Lanka
Where? Manama (Bahrain) to Colombo (Sri Lanka)
When? Five times a week, effective immediately
Who? Gulf Air
Why? Taking advantage of double-digit…
Ascott kicks off 2017 with multi-property deal in China
Ascott, the Singapore-based serviced apartment operator, has started the year strongly by securing contracts for another six properties in China.
The company has expanded its…
Shanghai Disney ends year with 5.6m visitors
The new Shanghai Disney Resort has exceeded five million visitors in just over six months of operations.
Xinhua reported Fan Xiping, chairman of Shanghai Shendi Group, Disney's…
Asian air route updates: Saudia, Vanilla Air and more
Pakistan gets new pilgrimmage flights
Where? Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) to Multan (Pakistan)
When? Four times a week, effective 1 April 2017
Who? Saudi Arabian Airlines
Why? Trade and…
Garuda eyes new routes for Chinese New Year
Garuda Indonesia is planning to take advantage of the booming Chinese outbound travel market by launching a series of new charter flights over the Lunar New Year holiday period.
The…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Hong Kong, India, Vietnam and more…
Silka Tsuen Wan
Location: Tsuen Wan district of Hong Kong, on the way to Disneyland and airport
Grade: Midscale
Keys: 419
Facilities: Gym, restaurant, coffee shop, smartphones in…
Thailand expects Chinese New Year tourism boost
Thailand expects to welcome 825,000 international visitors during the forthcoming Chinese New year holiday period.
The total, which was revealed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand…
Where to Stay: New hotels in Sri Lanka, China, India and Australia
Jetwing Lake
Location: 5km from town of Dambulla, central Sri Lanka
Grade: Upscale
Keys: 94
Facilities: 71-metre pool, spa, gym, two restaurants (including Chinese)
Meeting space:…
Asia Cruise Fund expands to Hainan, Philippines
The Asia Cruise Fund, which was launched by Taiwan and Hong Kong to drive investment in the Asian cruise industry, has added two new members - the Philippines and the Chinese island province…
