More second- and third-tier cities are serviced by budget airlines because of increasing demandTheir names may not be as instantly recognisable or hold as much cachet as Beijing or Shanghai, but if budget carriers have their way, smaller Chinese cities will become more popular with Singaporean travellers.存倉Low-cost carriers Scoot and Tigerair launched five new routes to such destinations in China between them last year. Scoot now flies to Qingdao, Shenyang and Nanjing, while Tigerair picked the old town of Lijiang and the seaport city of Ningbo to service.Jetstar Asia has also added more flights to Chinese cities that do not immediately top most travellers' wishlists: Hangzhou and Shantou."We'll fly wherever there is sufficient demand for our services and business to be had, and we feel that China's second- and third-tier cities have huge potential," says Scoot's chief executive, Mr Campbell Wilson.In adding Shenyang, Qingdao and Nanjing to its network, Scoot says it took into account the fact that all three are "within the sweet spot" - that is, within five to nine hours flight time from Singapore.Mr Ho Yuen Sang, chief operating officer of Tigerair, says many Singaporeans have already explored the traditional tourist destinations in China and are "hungry for new destinations within familiar grounds".Tigerair started the Lijiang and Ningbo routes, believing that they would prove popular because of both places' charms, and launchpads to explore the surrounding cities.The sheer increase in the volume of travellers from Singapore headed to China - as well as those from China coming here - is another reason airlines have been adding more destinations in China to their networks.Mr Ho says that Tigerair has seen a year-on-year increase of nearly 100 per cent in bookings on its routes to and from China, since the budget carrier began flying to China from Singapore.Its first flights to China were to Guangzhou, Haikou and Shenzhen in 2006, routes that now cost about $144 one way. Its flights to Lijiang and Ningbo start from $211 one way.In general, fares to second- or third-tier Chinese cities on low-cost carriers start from about $200 one way.Scoot's Mr Wilson says the new routes were also launched with an eye towards connecting Chinese tourists to the rest of Scoot's network in the Asia-Pacific region.A Chan Brothers Travel spokesman says the agency has seen a 15 to 20 per cent increase in travellers heading to the five new cities now linked to Singapore by direct air routes."While silver travellers constitute 60 per cent of our customers to these destinations, we have increasingly seen younger travellers and PMEBs too," says the spokesman, referring to professionals, managers, executives and businessmen.Ms Alicia Seah, director of marketing communications of Dynasty Travel, says direct access to these destinations will appeal to travellers who have shorter periods of time to travel. "These cities have a variety of tourist attractions and some, like Ningbo, have well-developed transport infrastructure and offer easy access to other major cities," she says.She adds that companies are also organising more incentive trips to these destinations, as they are unusual and not so far away that they have to take many days off.Research engineer Terence Ng booked a flight to Lijiang on a whim on the first day that Tigerair launched its flights, despite not knowing where in China it was or what to do there."My friends and I didn't want to go somewhere too far away as we had only 10 days of leave. I didn't know anything about Lijiang when I booked the flight. But after some research, we went and had a great time exploring the old town and travelling further north as well," he says.The 29-year-old bachelor and his two friends explored the temples of Shangri-La, as well as the glaciers of Meili Snow Mountain National Park, over 10 days last month. He spent about $400 on his flight there."If you enjoy nature, I would definitely recommend it," he says.jennanid@sph.com.sgLIJIANGThe 800-year-old Lijiang, located in Yunnan province, is said to have China's best-preserved ancient town. The Old Town of Lijiang, its city centre during the Warring States period (475BC-221BC), is today a Unesco World Heritage Sit儲存.In addition to the Old Town, travellers should also check out Mu Palace, where Lijiang's ruling family once lived; Jade Spring Park, which has temples, pavilions and a pond of clear spring water; and Yu Feng Temple, a monastery at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. All are ancient icons of the city.Nature buffs will want to head out of the city though, to see the 5,500m-high Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and hike up the Dry Sea Meadow, a highland plateau.While traditional Chinese, Western and French cuisine are available in the city, try the cuisine of the Naxi ethnic group native to Lijiang - it includes flat wheatbreads, fried yak meat and fried white cheese.Tigerair flies to Lijiang three times every fortnight, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.NANJINGNanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province, will play host to the Youth Olympic Games in August.A mix of both natural and urban landscapes, old and new, it has crumbling ruins, high-end shopping complexes and breathtaking views.Urbanites can head to Xinjiekou for brand-name stores and international restaurants, while those seeking relaxation can head to the banks of the Xuanwu Lake for a view of the nearby Purple Mountain.Also visit the Confucius Temple on the banks of the Qinhuai River, a shrine to the philosopher.Nanjing was also the capital of the Nationalist government of China between 1927 and 1937, and from 1946 to 1949. It is the burial place of the Republic of China's first president Sun Yat Sen.Scoot flies to Nanjing four times a week, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.SHENYANGShenyang is the capital of the Liaoning province and is the largest city in north-east China.Visit the Shenyang Imperial Palace (open daily from 9am to 4.30pm, admission: 60 yuan or S$12.50, .sypm.org.cn), also called Mukden Palace, where the first three Qing emperors lived from 1625 to 1644.Sports buffs may want to visit the Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium (open when a game is on), where football matches were played during the 2008 Summer Olympics.Outdoor types can also travel 20 minutes out of the city to the Qipan Mountain, where there is swimming, fishing and boating on the Xiuhu Lake.Scoot flies to Shenyang from Qingdao four times a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.QINGDAOThe coastal city of Qingdao, located in the province of Shandong, was called Tsingtao by its German colonisers who were there from 1898 to 1914. It is famous worldwide for its eponymous beer, first produced in the city by German settlers in the early 1900s. Visit the Tsingtao Beer Museum (open daily from 8.30am to 4.30pm, admission: 50 yuan, .tsingtaomuseum.com).The city has buildings built in early German styles, such as the Guest House, a Gothic classic building built in 1905 that was the residence of a German governor. German cuisine, such as roast pork elbow, is served at the restaurant inside (open daily from 8.30am to 5.30pm, admission: 15 yuan).The Qingdao Zhongshan Park is considered one of China's prettiest parks with cherry blossom, crabapple and magnolia trees. The park, which is surrounded by mountains, also has a zoo, a Buddhist temple and a botanical garden.Scoot flies to Qingdao four times a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.NINGBOThe seaport city of Ningbo, located in the north-east of Zhejiang province, has a strong transport infrastructure, giving travellers easy access via high-speed train to other cities around it, including Shanghai, Hangzhou and Nanjing.It has a number of tourist attractions, such as the Tianyi Pavilion Museum (open from 8am to 5.30pm daily, admission: 20 yuan, .tianyige.com.cn). Built in 1516, it is believed to be the oldest surviving library in China and houses handwritten Confucian classics.Families with children may also enjoy the HarborLand Theme park, known in Mandarin as Feng Huang Shan Hai Gang Le Yuan (Phoenix Mountain Habour Theme Park), with roller coasters, bungee jumps and carnival games (opening hours vary, admission: 160 yuan for adults and 80 yuan for children, .harborland.com.cn).South Putuo Temple, built in the Tang Dynasty (AD618 to AD907), is a famous sacred Buddhist spot.Tigerair flies to Ningbo three times every fortnight, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.迷你倉
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