Exploring China has never been easier than with the Star Alliance China Airpass which officially launched in late February.

The introduction of the alliance's 11th fare product has been made possible with the recent joining of Air China and Shanghai Airlines, which now offer Star Alliance customers an extensive Chinese Domestic network.

Air travel on these routes can now be enjoyed with prices ranging from 2810 yuan (approximately EUR268 or US$394) for a three coupon ticket, progressively increasing to a maximum of 7970 yuan (approximately EUR760 or US$1116) for a ten coupon ticket. Travel within China can be round trip, circle or open-jaw in Economy Class and may last up to a maximum of two months.

The Star Alliance China Airpass can be purchased by customers residing outside Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Taiwan, in conjunction with an international return ticket or Round the World ticket to China on any Star Alliance member carrier.

In addition to Air China and Shanghai Airlines, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana, Lufthansa, SAS, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, SWISS, THAI and United all offer services to mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and Taiwan.

"At Star Alliance we are happy to once again provide our customers direct benefits from our vast network. No single airline, nor any other alliance, could offer such a great combination of international and domestic routes, as Star Alliance does," said Horst Findeisen, Vice President Business Development at Star Alliance.

In addition to the Star Alliance China Airpass, the following fare products are also available: Circle Asia Fare, Circle Pacific Fare, African Airpass, Asian Airpass, European Airpass, Japan Airpass, North American Airpass, South Pacific Airpass, Thailand Airpass and the Star Alliance Round the World fare.

Customers wishing to make travel arrangements using the various Star Alliance fare products can now make use of the recently launched online tool to simplify the planning process. The Circle Fare and Airpass Calculator, available on the Star Alliance website at www.staralliance.com/fareproductcalculators allows customers to plan their preferred routings at their convenience, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Once a valid itinerary for the desired trip has been created, it can then be transmitted to one of the member carriers for ticketing or printed and taken to a travel agent.

The Star Alliance China Airpass fares in detail:

* The fares do not include any taxes, fees, charges or surcharges and may be converted into the local currency using applicable exchange rates.