Direct Beijing-Edinburgh flights make a comeback

Nonstop flights between Edinburgh and Beijing are ready to make an epic comeback! After nearly a five-year interruption in air travel between the Scottish and Chinese capitals, passengers can now board the plane for the unforgettable journey to explore the cities, cultures and histories of these two remarkable places. Step aboard for an unforgettable show of sights, sounds, and cultures!

1. Back on the Map: Beijing-Edinburgh Flights Return

After months of turbulence amidst the coronavirus pandemic, Beijing and Edinburgh are reconnecting their flight paths. The one-way route will return to service on the 30th of August 2020, allowing travelers from both countries to freely traverse the skies once more.

The journey from Beijing to Edinburgh will span two days, with a brief stop-over in Helsinki. During this transcontinental voyage, passengers can enjoy the pleasant luxury of a 9.5 hour non-stop flight from the Chinese capital to the Northern European one. As for convenience, the early morning departure from Beijing and late evening arrival in Edinburgh mean those en route will barely experience the sensation of jetlag.

• The route will operate four times a week on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday
• Economy class rates will start at £398
• Business class rates will start at £1,630

This of course comes with even more benefits, including complimentary food and drinks, as well as contactless check-in. The Finnish trip carrier sees the increasing frequency of trips as a positive change towards the speedy and inevitable revival of global tourism.

2. More Options for Connecting the East and West

As trade between the East and West increased, other avenues of connection were explored. By the mid-1800s, steamships provided a fast, economical way to travel between the continents. Railways had connected previously distant cities, allowing a new way to access port cities and goods.

The construction of the Suez Canal in 1869 was a major breakthrough in connecting East and West. The canal made it possible to travel between Europe and East Asia in half the time it would take to sail around the Cape of Good Hope. Railways, roads, and later air transportation further accentuated the crossing of cultures. Combined, these developments improved trade networks, increased political cooperation, and helped to make the world a more accessible place for all.

• Steamships: provided a fast and economical way to travel between the continents
• Railways: connected cities, opening up access to port cities
• Suez Canal: made it possible to travel between Europe and East Asia in half the time
• Roads and air transportation: further accentuated the crossing of cultures

3. Reuniting the Sister Cities of Beijing and Edinburgh

The cities of Beijing and Edinburgh have a long history of friendship and mutual understanding, with a sister-city agreement established in 1981. Despite this, the two cities have found themselves separated for years until the G20 Summit of 2018 was the platform for the reunion. One of the most interesting aspects of the reunion is how quickly the two cities seem to have reconnected- it’s as if the years of separation didn’t happen.

Both cities’ governments moved quickly to secure collaboration in key areas such as education, trade, and travel. This was soon reinforced through the launch of several initiatives.
For example, do you know:

• The ‘EdinBeijing’ student initiative, broken down into 3 key areas: Student Exchange, Cultural and Business Understanding, and Entrepreneurial Collaboration.
• The ‘China Scotland Business Network’ which offers companies access to both countries’ markets.
• The ‘Great Place Of Worship Initiative’, launched in Beijing to provide a place for people of faith to come together and exchange ideas.

These initiatives have been incredibly beneficial, helping to bring people of all walks of life together, while also increasing public awareness of the long-standing partnership between Beijing and Edinburgh.

4. The Joy of Rediscovering Ancient & Modern Landscapes

Travelling to witness a different culture and untouched landscapes can be a breath of fresh air for the little explorer in you. Today, with ease of travel, anybody can experience these awesome views and sounds of the ancients or moderns. Here are the top four locations to experience their magnificence.

• Machu Picchu: Living on the mountainside of the Peruvian Andes, Machu Picchu, is a treasured gem of the Inca empire. Visualize the Inca’s serenity amongst the archaeological grandeur and majestic, green views.
• Bagan, Myanmar: Feel the warmth of the culture in the oldest and largest archaeological site in the South Pacific, containing over 2,500 majestic Buddhist temples, pagodas and ruins. Imagine being surrounded by the colourful hot-air balloons that hover over the many temples in the city’s skyline.
• Stonehenge – United Kingdom: Where you can stand, and admire the sun shining down on all 5,000 years, of history and imaginative disbelief. An iconic and historical wonder of Britain, the mystery of why and how it was constructed, still remains unsolved.
• Great Wall of China: Dare to walk the ancient wall and go beyond modernity. Built and re-built over time, by many different dynasties, visit the engaging views of the Chinese wonders and take a peek of the modern-day country side.

Everybody should set out and explore one of these locations, at least once in their lifetime. Rediscover the ancient and modern landscapes and take an unforgettable journey.

With their return, the direct Beijing-Edinburgh flights will surely be a welcome sight for those looking for a convenient way to access the cultural delights found in Scotland, allowing us to bridge China with the cultural cities of Edinburgh. Here’s to another era of travel between the two countries!