Starting on May 10 and May 18, China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines will respectively initiate direct flights between Shanghai and Kashgar in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Each airline will offer three weekly direct flights on different days, resulting in six days of direct flights per week between the cities. Previously, passengers travelling from Shanghai to Kashgar had to experience transfers or layovers in Xi’an or Urumqi, extending the journey to eight or nine hours. These new direct flights will significantly cut travel time to six and a half hours for the trip to Kashgar and five and a half hours for the return to Shanghai.

The launch of these direct flights will provide more convenient and comfortable travel options for travellers from Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region. Additionally, it is expected to greatly benefit the tourism industry in Xinjiang. In 2023, Kashgar saw over 33 million tourists and the new flights are anticipated to further boost tourism in the region.

Contact us to start planning your next journey to Xinjiang.