Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines launch Taoyuan–Yancheng route

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

Cross-strait exchanges are becoming increasingly frequent. Starting September 7, Mandarin Airlines and Uni Air have respectively launched the Taoyuan–Yancheng route, with two round-trip flights per week. Mandarin Airlines will operate Boeing B737-800 aircraft, offering 8 business class seats and 150 economy class seats; Uni Air will fly the route using MD-90 aircraft, configured with 152 economy class seats. To celebrate the launch, Mandarin Airlines is offering Taoyuan–Yancheng round-trip economy class tickets at promotional fares starting from just NT$9,700, for bookings and travel completed by March 31.

Yancheng is located in the golden triangle region of East China and is the largest in land area and the second-largest prefecture-level city in Jiangsu Province. It ranks seventh in terms of economic output in Jiangsu. With a massive market potential of over eight million people and world-class wetland ecological tourism resources, the new route is expected to attract more Taiwanese tourists and strengthen commercial, tourism, and cultural ties between Yancheng and Taiwan.

The northern Jiangsu region where Yancheng is located boasts a rich literary and historical background. The authors of the two legendary novels "Journey to the West" and "Water Margin" were both from northern Jiangsu, drawing much creative inspiration from the local scenery. It is said that the birthplace of the Monkey King, Flower Fruit Mountain, is located in Lianyungang, northern Jiangsu. Additionally, northern Jiangsu is also an important ecological reserve. Yancheng is home to protected areas for two rare species — the Père David's deer and the red-crowned crane — offering visitors the chance to see the real-life counterparts of the celestial cranes and deer depicted in ancient paintings. Mandarin Airlines has specially partnered with travel agencies to launch group tour packages such as “Dancing with Red-Crowned Cranes – 5-Day Green World Huaiyang Cuisine Tour in Northern Jiangsu’s Yancheng,” with prices starting from just NT$34,500 including tax.