LANZHOU, June 5 (Xinhua) -- A direct chartered flight linking Hong Kong with China's popular tourist destination Dunhuang City has started operation, Dunhuang Airport said Tuesday.

The first 169 passengers from Hong Kong landed at Dunhuang Airport in northwest China's Gansu Province Monday afternoon.

The HK Express runs the flights once a week.

Dunhuang is known for its UNESCO-listed Mogao Grottoes, also known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes. Each year, the caves draw a large number of tourists from home and abroad.