XI'AN, June 27 (Xinhua) -- A new direct air route was launched Thursday to connect Xi'an, an ancient Chinese capital, and a hot tourist destination, Cambodia's port city of Sihanoukville.

The flight, operated by Lanmei Airlines with an Airbus A319 aircraft, is scheduled to depart Xi'an every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 4:05 a.m. Beijing time and arrive in Sihanoukville at 7:35 a.m. local time.

The return flight will take off at 9:30 p.m. local time and land in Xi'an at 3:05 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, according to the Xi'an Xianyang International Airport.

Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi province, is famous for the Terracotta Warriors, while Sihanoukville boasts Cambodia's best-known beaches. The new air service is expected to further promote the economic and cultural exchange between the two cities.