Published on
October 17, 2025
Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways are among the key airlines set to increase their services to Hangzhou for the 3rd Liangzhu Forum, taking place from October 18-20, 2025. This prestigious international event will bring together global experts, scholars, and cultural leaders to explore the preservation and innovation of human civilization, focusing on China’s ancient Liangzhu civilization. As delegates and tourists arrive in Hangzhou for this significant cultural exchange, these airlines are ensuring seamless travel connections to one of China’s most historically rich and culturally significant cities. The forum will not only raise Hangzhou’s international profile but will also provide a substantial boost to its tourism and hospitality industries, blending ancient heritage with modern attractions for global visitors.
Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways Expected to Increase Flights to Hangzhou
Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways will increase their flight frequency to Hangzhou, China, for the 3rd Liangzhu Forum, to be held from October 18-20, 2025, which will likely lead to an increase in international delegates and tourists. For the first time since the pandemic, Hangzhou will be positioned to offer the region’s airline and hospitality businesses substantial opportunities because the Forum will attract international competitors, cultural tourists, and business travelers from over 60 countries, economically and culturally, to Hangzhou. The event will be the first to advertise the region’s historical and contemporary cultural wealth and will be pivotal for the region.
The Liangzhu Forum: A Cultural Exchange That Fuels Travel
Hangzhou’s Liangzhu Forum, an event focused on global exchange within cultures, will invite professionals such as historians, archaeologists, and museum specialists, as well as leaders in cultural heritage from across the globe. Their conversations will be centered on “Revitalization of Civilization: Cultural Heritage and Human Cultural Diversity.” This international discussion seeks to understand and safeguard the world’s cultural heritage, particularly the ancient Liangzhu civilization, which is one of the most significant archaeological finds in China.
Airlines and Flights: Increasing Connectivity to Hangzhou
As Hangzhou is going to be the first-point destination for most of these visitors, the major international airlines are starting to work on their travel plans to Hangzhou. Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways are already in the process of adjusting their scheduled and unscheduled flights. As for Chinese Heritage Tourism, Hangzhou is one of the most notable cities in China.
Japan Airlines
JAL is one of the earliest airlines to open routes between Japan and China and will expand its services to Hangzhou for the Liangzhu Forum. Already a culturally rich city that is close to Japan and popular among Japanese travelers, Hangzhou will attract more JAL clientele due to the forum. JAL services direct flights to Hangzhou from Tokyo Narita and Osaka Kansai airports, making it JAL’s eastern gateway. The flights are approximately 4 to 5 hours in duration.
- Tokyo Narita to Hangzhou: Direct flights, 4 hours
- Osaka Kansai to Hangzhou: Direct flights, 4.5 hours
Thai Airways
With its remarkable in-flight services and extensive networks, Thai Airways has been a major carrier on the Bangkok-Hangzhou route, to the extent that it has been connecting Southeast Asia with China. With the 3rd Liangzhu Forum coinciding with the peak arrival season for Thai tourists, Thai Airways will be increasing its frequency on the Bangkok-Hangzhou route specifically to service this forum. The linkage between the two nations will further be enhanced with the increasing volume of tourists coming from Thailand.
Flight Details:
- Bangkok to Hangzhou: Direct flights available, journey takes 4.5 hours.
Emirates
With an extended reach around the world, Emirates has gradually been increasing its services to China which includes Hangzhou. Considering the growing global interest on the Liangzhu Forum, the airline will most likely continue to upgrade its services on the route from Dubai to Hangzhou. Emirates is certainly the most ideal airline for global travelers to China for cultural activities due to the luxury services offered on flights. It takes 8.5 hours from Dubai to Hangzhou.
Flight Details:
- Dubai to Hangzhou: Direct flights, 8.5 hours.
Singapore Airlines
Another major global player is Singapore Airlines, which has also added Direct flights from Singapore to Hangzhou. Singapore Airlines has been adding flights to Hangzhou due to its strong connections with China, and the increasing demand for air travel to Hangzhou is anticipated. Singapore Airlines provides quality flights, which is an added bonus for tourists flying directly to Hangzhou on the Singapore Airlines flights during the forum.
Flight Details:
- Singapore to Hangzhou: 6 hourly direct flights
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is very familiar with Chinese air transportation, and with its easy access, passengers arriving in Doha will have Hangzhou within reach. Qatar Airways will probably increase its frequency to Hangzhou in the coming months, considering forum attendees and Middle Eastern tourists. Owing to its high quality services and satisfactory inflight experience, Qatar has become a prominent company for intercontinental flights to China for the ongoing forum.
Flight Details:
- Doha to Hangzhou: 8 hourly direct flights
Hospitality Sector: Preparing for Global Influx
Brushing the hospitality sector in Hangzhou for the forum, international travelers interest will increase. The city will receive thousands of delegates and tourists, and Hangzhou has the city’s hotels to ensure a seamless and pleasant stay.
Expected to increase their offer, international hospitality brands like Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and InterContinental have scaled their offer of packages, flexed their staffing, and added services. Known to capture the business and leisure focus on arrivals to the city, they have been increasing their attention in order to capture demand as tourists arrive for the forum.
Hilton and Marriott: Serving Global Delegates
Hilton and Marriott are already well-established in Hangzhou, with multiple properties throughout the city. Their premium offerings, including luxury suites, conference facilities, and fine dining, will make them the go-to choices for delegates attending the forum. Both brands have a track record of providing exceptional service for large-scale international events, and with their extensive experience in catering to high-profile guests, they are well-prepared to accommodate the expected influx of visitors.
Hyatt: Focused on Comfort and Convenience
Hyatt is another key player in Hangzhou’s hospitality industry. Hyatt’s hotels are known for providing modern, convenient accommodations, with easy access to the city’s major attractions. Travelers attending the Liangzhu Forum can expect quality service, with features such as fitness centers, concierge services, and spacious meeting rooms. Hyatt properties will be crucial in offering a comfortable stay for delegates and tourists alike.
InterContinental: Luxury with a Cultural Touch
As a luxury hotel brand, InterContinental has its own expectations for this forum. With a culturally integrated and upscale service offering, InterContinental hotels in Hangzhou will provide tourists a premium experience. Attention to detail and custom hospitality has stayed true to the brand, making sure overseas visitors will be comfortable as they stay in the city.
The Economic and Tourism Impact of the Forum
Focusing on the impact of the 3rd Liangzhu Forum on Hangzhou’s economy, the immediate effect will be on its tourism and hospitality industry. In 2024, the tourism volume in Hangzhou will be 240 million, of which 1.16 million will be international tourists. In the same period, the city will earn around ¥178.68 billion on tourism, indicating a rise of 11.9% compared to the previous year. All this data will see a further increase with the forum in place.
Increased flight services from international airlines will be one of the reasons for this growth, as the forum will attract global experts, scholars, and tourists. The anticipated increase in the number of visitors will aid the airlines and hotels, as well as the local economy, including businesses, eateries, and tourism sites.
Travel Instructions for Visitors
- Advance Flight Reservations: Given the increase in scheduled flights to Hangzhou for the forum, it would be wise to purchase tickets at the earliest opportunity to obtain the best prices and seat availability.
- Options for Where to Stay: For the best experience, you may want to book Hangzhou’s international accommodations. Hotels like the Hilton, Marriott, and InterContinental will be close to your destination and will provide you with outstanding hospitality.
- Time Beyond the Forum and Travel: Hangzhou is home to numerous historical sites, including West Lake, the Liangzhu Archaeological Site, and the Longjing Tea Village. Take the opportunity to travel to the city to engage with and enjoy your surroundings.
- Pack Light: Although modern facilities are in the range of your accommodations and the events, and you may want to avoid unnecessary delays when trying to rent a vehicle to leave the events you will be visited.
- Expect Congestion: Anticipate queuing for transport when trying to reach the scheduled events, especially if you are located close to the events and planned your meetings for a vehicle to be at your disposal.
Japan, Thailand, Singapore, and Qatar are among the countries expected to increase travel to Hangzhou for the 3rd Liangzhu Forum in October 2025. Airlines like Japan Airlines, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines are preparing for a surge in flights to accommodate the influx of international delegates and tourists.
The 3rd Liangzhu Forum
The 3rd Liangzhu Forum gives travelers a chance to appreciate China’s historical culture while examining the country’s modern advancements and contemporary practices in cultural conservation and heritage protection. The increase of services to Hangzhou by major airlines such as Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways, as well as the forthcoming world-class services by international hotel chains (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and InterContinental), makes the city easily accessible to visitors.
As the forum and its associated events promote collaboration and cultural exchange, it will number visitors to Hangzhou and promote the scenic areas surrounding the city. As the forum attendees and tourists will be coming to Hangzhou at a leisurely pace, it will be a historical and cultural journey. The forum will be a target to promote the city in a way reverse to normal sightseeing.
