New Flight Alert: More Direct Flights to Chongqing and China's Tea Capital Start This Month
Xiamen Air is ramping up its flight offerings between Manila and China.
by Leana Vibal, and Jacob Lazaro
Published on Apr 29, 2026
(SPOT.ph) Raise your hands if China's megacities that mix old-world charm and futuristic intensity have been all over your feed. If your algorithm has also been serving you clips of its sweeping natural landscapes and neon-lit skylines, sparking a fresh wave of wanderlust, then listen up. More direct flights are on the way, bringing cities like Hangzhou and Chongqing closer to Manila. Consider this your sign to start planning that trip to China, because starting this May, China is about to feel a lot closer. Here’s what you need to know.
New direct flights to Chongqing and Hangzhou, China, courtesy of Xiamen Airlines
Starting May 20, Xiamen Airlines will add direct flights between Manila, Hangzhou, and Chongqing to its flight roster.
While Xiamen Air isn’t the first to offer direct flights to Chongqing—Air China is set to launch the same route on May 1—its Hangzhou service marks the first nonstop connection between Manila and the Chinese city.
The Hangzhou-Manila route will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays with a total flight time of about three hours. Meanwhile, the three-and-a-half-hour Manila-Chongqing flights will be available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Here's the schedule of Hangzhou-Manila-Hangzhou flights via Xiamen Airlines
Manila to Hangzhou
Flight MF8658
Departs NAIA Terminal 1 (MNL): 9 p.m.
Arrives in Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH): 11:55 p.m.
Operating every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Hangzhou to Manila
Flight MF8657
Departs Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH): 4:35 p.m.
Arrives in NAIA Terminal 1 (MNL): 7:45 p.m.
Operating every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
Here's the schedule of Chongqing-Manila-Chongqing flights via Xiamen Airlines
Manila to Chongqing
Flight MF8648
Departs NAIA Terminal 1 (MNL): 9 p.m.
Arrives in Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG): 12:30 a.m. (next day)
Operating every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
Chongqing to Manila
Flight MF8647
Departs NAIA Terminal 1 (MNL): 4:15 p.m.
Arrives in Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG): 7:45 p.m.
Operating every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
A quick search on the Xiamen Airlines website puts flights to both Hangzhou and Chongqing at around USD 250 to 255, or about P15,393 round-trip. Not a bad deal considering this standard economy fare also comes with a pre-booked seat, one piece of baggage up to 23 kilograms, and meals. Upgrades on baggage allowance and more extensive rebook/refund options are also available under their Economy Flex and Economy Elite plans, which have add-on fees starting at USD 112 for Chongqing flights and USD 118 for Hangzhou.
Aside from these two new routes, Xiamen Airlines will also increase flight frequencies between Manila and both Xiamen and Quanzhou. Flights to Xiamen will expand from a single afternoon departure to three daily options—morning, afternoon, and evening. Meanwhile, the Quanzhou route adds a morning flight to its existing afternoon schedule. In total, weekly flights between China and the Philippines will rise to 44.
What to do in Hangzhou, China
Hangzhou City is most popularly known as the home of the West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where nature and modern architecture create a breathtaking scene. The lake is so beautiful and revered that it is often believed to be the site of a great Chinese love story between a great serpent spirit and a mortal.
Beyond its scenic charm, Hangzhou is also one of China’s cultural and creative hubs. It’s a major producer of high-quality silk and is widely regarded as the country’s “Tea Capital,” known for prized varieties like West Lake Longjing green tea, celebrated for its delicate, chestnut-like flavor.
What to do in Chongqing, China
On the other hand, Chongqing feels straight out of a sci-fi film. Often dubbed the “Cyberpunk City,” it immerses travelers in a maze of dense, layered, neon-lit infrastructure. Yet beyond its futuristic facade, the city also holds pockets of old-world charm—especially in Ciqikou Old Town, where teahouses and traditional snack stalls line its more rustic streets.
For more information, visit Xiamen Airlines' website.
Also read: The SPOT.ph Guide to Applying for a Chinese Visa
Leana is Spot's go-to for Arts & Culture and Things to Do. On any given day, she’s either glued to her screen—or gliding underwater like the mermaid she swears she is. Contact: leana@spot.ph
As a proud Ravenclaw, Jacob knows what's hot in the arts and what's interesting to do in the metro. While he works in the outside world, he really lives in the multiverse he builds in his mind.