The first flight from Kunming in Yunnan province to Zhangjiajie in Henan province is set to depart on April 5, according to Kunming Daily.

Juneyao Airlines will operate the direct route on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with the flight numbers HO1019/20. The flight route will take approximately 105 minutes and tickets are priced at 860 yuan ($140).

The new route is expected to cut the travel time from Southwest China to Zhangjiajie significantly. Previously, those wanting to travel to Zhangjiajie from Kunming and surrounding areas had to fly or take train to Changsha, the capital of Hunan province.

Vice director of the Kunming tourism development committee, Wang Jun, said that the cooperation between Kunming and Zhangjiajie will drive the city's tourism industries. "We can share tourism resources, brands and information," said Wang.

Zhangjiajie is a tourist city famous for the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area – China's first National forest park – and the Tianmen Mountain scenic spot.

Edited by Jacob Hooson