Etihad Holidays launches First Holiday Programme to China

Etihad Holidays, a division of Etihad Airways, has unveiled its first programme to Beijing, with some of the lowest lead-in prices for holidays to the Chinese capital this spring.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline will launch flights to Beijing on 30 March and to mark the occasion Etihad Holidays is offering packages to more than ten top hotels across the Chinese city starting from AED 2,435 (US$ 663).

Each holiday package in the new programme includes three nights' accommodation, return economy class tickets, hotel transfers and breakfast as well as a half day excursion to the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square.

Tony Gauci, Etihad Holidays' general manager said, "China is one of the world's oldest civilisations with an incredible history and Etihad Holidays is very excited to unveil its first programme to this wonderful destination.

"Etihad Holidays customers can enjoy China's incredible history, culture and cuisine with some of our lowest ever lead-in prices which include city tours and flights on our new Abu Dhabi to Beijing service."

Among the hotel packages in the new Etihad Holidays programme are the three star Harmony Hotel which starts from AED 2,435 (US$ 663), the four star Novotel Peace Hotel which starts at AED2785 (US$759) and the five star Crowne Plaza Beijing which starts at AED3375 (US$920).

There are also several additional excursions available for a supplementary price to see some of China's historical past. These include trips to The Great Wall of China and the Ming Tombs.

Two day trips to Xi'an and Shanghai can also be incorporated into the holiday from as little as AED 2595 (US$ 707) per adult, including two nights' accommodation at a four star hotel and domestic flights and transfers. 

The two cities offer a glimpse of China's past and present. Xi'an is the home to the world famous Terracotta Warriors which are more than 2,000 years old and Shanghai is one of the world's fastest growing cities and commercial capitals.

The new Etihad Airways four flights a week service will be the airline's first destination in China and its eighth Asia Pacific destination which includes Brisbane, Sydney, Manila, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Bangkok.

All holidays in this promotion must be booked by 31 March 2008 with travel between 30 March and 31 May 2008.

Etihad's flights to Beijing will operate every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with EY888 departing from Abu Dhabi at 11.45pm and arriving in the Chinese capital at 11.30am the next day.

Return flight EY889 departs from Beijing every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 7.10pm arriving in Abu Dhabi at 00.20am the next day.

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