Direct flights between Beijing and Warsaw will further bridge the geographical and cultural distances between these two historic cities, according to Air China, which will be operating the new route starting September 21.
The direct flight will symbolically promote diplomatic development and communication while also benefiting the growing number of Chinese tourists to Poland. The lowest ticket price for the direct flight will be a mere 1,000 yuan ($150).
Warsaw was built in the mid-13th century and became the capital of Poland in 1596. The name of the city is pronounced as "Warszawa" in Polish, to commemorate a couple who married after they broke through various obstacles. The Mermaid of Warsaw was their witness and patron and was chosen as the city symbol.
Warsaw is known as "the phoenix city." In the World War II, 90 percent of the city was destroyed by German forces. After the war, Warsaw spent 15 years reconstructing the ancient city's grand and elegant historic relics according to historians' mapping drawings. The city was literally reborn from its own ruins and today is the only reconstructed city listed as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO.
Park Lazienkowski
In downtown Warsaw, Park Lazienkowski, also known as "the Park of Chopin" due to the statue of the great composer, used to be the villa of King Stanislaw August Poniatowski, the country's last ruler of the 18th century.
Because of his passion for Chinese culture, Poniatowski brought frescos and porcelain art from Guangzhou to decorate his residence. During its most prosperous period, Chinese-style bridges were built within the park along with Chinese elements such as lions, dragons and phoenixes.
What is less known to either Chinese or Poles is that Park Lazienkowski also witnessed a special historical moment for China, with Sino-US talks between 1958 and 1970 held at the park's Myslewicki Palace.
Must-see spots
There are many other scenic spots in Warsaw that Chinese tourists should not miss. In the city's old quarter, there is a statue of the Mermaid of Warsaw, numerous art galleries, restaurants and coffee shops.
Not far from the old quarter, there is a Castle Square in front of the Royal Castle. On the square, there stands the 22-meter-tall Sigismund's Column commemorating King Sigismund III Vasa, who moved the country's capital to Warsaw in the 16th century.
The Holy Cross Church located in Warsaw is another must-visit scenic spot for most tourists because Chopin's heart was buried there.
Other public facilities such as the main campus of Warsaw University and the Polish Academy of Sciences where stands the statue of Copernicus are also located in Warsaw.
Poland entered Lonely Planet's top 10 tourism destinations of Best in Travel 2016.
