Layover At Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA)
Jul 03, 2010 | Comments 0
Stuck on a layover at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA)? As one of two airport in Shanghai (click here for the layover guide to the other Shanghai airport – Shanghai Pudong International Airport) the Hongqiao Airport is closer to Shanghai city center, roughly 8 miles from Shanghai city center, which makes the city an accessible destination for those stuck on long layovers. If you’re trying to determine whether you can leave the airport during your layover, click here for useful tips.
If you’re stuck inside the Hongqiao airport during your layover, there’s shopping and dining options in the Departures Hall and Waiting Hall of Terminal 1, and in the Departure Level and Check-In Level of Terminal 2. In addition, the airport has clinics in both terminals, Business Centers in Terminal 1 Departures Hall and Terminal 2 business area. A first class lounge is available in Terminal 1 2F, and a VIP Lounge is located in Terminal 2 on 3F.
If you arrive at night or are looking for a place to rest, the Argyle International Hotel is located adjacent to the Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, and contains business facilities, a fitness center and more. For additional hotels of varying price points, click here.
Luggage Lockers can be found in Arrivals Hall 1F if you want to drop your bags off while you explore. If you’re planning on leaving the airport to explore Shanghai, there are a number of transportation options. Taxis are located outside of the Arrivals Hall and take about 20 minutes to travel to downtown Shanghai and costs roughly CNY 40-50. Subway Line 2 travels from the airport to the city center as well, and the station is located in the basement of the airport terminal.
Layover Guide’s Suggestions Of Things To Do In Shanghai:
The Bund
The Bund, also called Zhongshan Road, is a famous waterfront along the bank of the Huangpu River, in the eastern part of Huangpu District, and is famous which is famous for its grand buildings of various architectural styles. A taxi takes 45mins to 1hr to get to the Bund area, so please plan with plenty of time to get back to the airport (and take into account the, at times, long lines for immigration and security.) Check out the shopping street Nanjing Road (3.4 miles long) with some of the “best shopping in the world.”
Oriental Pearl Tower
The Oriental Pearl Tower is in Lujiazui, by the bank of Huangpu River. At 468 meters high, it’s the third highest TV Tower in the world. Ranked as one of the ten best views in Shanghai, you can visit the observation deck for around 50 RNB. The Tower also has a restaurant shopping, entertainment, and hotel.
Feng Xiang Market
Take a cab to the market, located 580 Nan Jing West Road. The Feng Xiang Market is a three story complex with many stalls, selling anything you can want including knock-off name brand products. Come prepared to negotiate – vendors will initially quote you roughly 5 times higher than what you can negotiate them down to. Also, be aware of people trying to get you to enter stalls. Many receive a commission to bring you into shops, that you will have to pay for.
Shanghai Acrobatic Show
If your layover is at night, check out the Shanghai acrobatic show at the Shanghai Center. The show involves foot juggling, glasses balancing, silk rope hanging, nose balancing, etc.
Hotels
Shanghai Grand Hyatt
A 50 minute taxi drive from the airport, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai is the highest hotel in the world. The hotel offers great views, city tour arrangements, fitness and spa, live entertainment and 6 restaurants.
Intercontinental Pudong
Have a suggestions for a Shanghai layover? Leave a comment below!
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Filed Under: Asia • layover • things to do
