Beijing and Shanghai are to launch new routes to South China's Yunnan provincial capital of Kunming and the tourism attraction of Dali this July. 

A news conference to announce the news was held Monday morning.

The move is expected to promote the tourism industry in Yunnan, a province renowned for its beautiful landscapes and colorful ethic minorities.

Starting this Thursday, Beijing and Shanghai will each open one flight a day to the two cities.

(CRI.com June 29, 2004)