The price of plane tickets in China has continued to decline since the arrival of tourism's slack season. 

Most airlines in China are offering discounts of up to 50 percent off the regular ticket price. Though less common, reductions of 60 to 70 per ent have also been reported.

Flights from Beijing to Shanghai now cost 310 yuan, or around 38 US dollars, which is less than a hard-sleeper train ticket to the same destination.

However, some popular routes are still expensive, such as Beijing-Guangzhou and Beijing-Shenyang.

(CRI March 12, 2004)