Fly direct to China for as little as £7

An ambitious airline is attempting to attract British travellers to two lesser-known corners of China by offering one-way fares from as little as £7 on its inaugural services to Chongqing and Tianjin.

Tianjin Airlines will launch the first direct connection between Britain and the two regional cities when flights begin from London Gatwick on June 25.

The service will operate twice a week, taking just short of 12 hours to reach Chongqing, in the south west, and 17 hours to Tianjin, on the north-east coast. Planes will fly into Chongqing, then continue to Tianjin.

Eye-catching single fares of £7 and £9 are available on the first two departures, on June 25 and 29.

While fees and taxes will boost these figures to £206 one way and £332 return, they are still enticing offers for tourists keen to see two less-heralded parts of the Far East.