Every once in a while, a hotel is designed to break with the traditional perception of what a hotel should be and establish an entirely new concept in accommodation.  And so it is with InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, an iconoclastic property famous years before it even opened, such was the buzz over its design and construction.  Built down the side of an abandoned quarry, this stunning InterContinental property has been wildly popular since it began welcoming guests in 2018.

In these times when experienced travellers are always looking for something different, InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland provides a unique experience in accommodation.  Think of a conventional hotel and turn it upside down.  The welcoming lobby is on the hotel’s top floor, which is on ground level.  The hotel’s 330 rooms and suites descend down the side of the quarry until reaching the lowest level, where the highest category of accommodation is found.  Six superb underwater suites extend over two levels, the lowest having a large aquarium wall as the central feature of the living room.  Upstairs, on ground level, is the sleeping area that opens to a private terrace.  The terraces are highly coveted thanks to the hotel’s nightly sound and light display, a dazzling presentation of Chinese folklore tales that illuminates the sides of the rock quarry.  By day, the rock cliffs and waterfall descending from the top provide a scenic frontdrop to the hotel, which is a sight to be seen; the sleek curves of the building are a harmonious complement to the cliffside panorama.  The base of the quarry is now a small lake where pedal boats and kayaks are available to venture out onto the water when not admiring it from the adjacent walkway.  Water is a central feature at InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland; a ceiling fountain in the hotel’s lobby drops water from above in shows taking place several times a day.

This is a five-star hotel in China, and the culinary experiences are excellent in the food, drinks and environment they offer.  Reservations are recommended for the exceptional Mr Fisher, an underwater aquarium restaurant where walls of fish highlight the fun of a submarine venue.  The polished staff enhance the dining experience with their friendliness and professionalism.  Similarly memorable is a meal in the hotel’s Cantonese restaurant, Cai Feng Lou, where the parade of delectable dishes seems to go on forever, much to the pleasure of diners enjoying superb items from the extensive menu.

In contrast to the go-go atmosphere of Shanghai’s dynamic central districts, the calm ambience and open skies outside the city lend themselves to a restful stay, enjoying the hotel’s amenities and spectacular site.  InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland can arrange private transfers directly from the airport or central Shanghai.  InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland is a short taxi ride from Line 9’s Dongjing metro station for visitors who prefer to use Shanghai’s excellent metro system.

Now that the Chinese government has eliminated the visa requirement for Australian citizens visiting China for fewer than 30 days, a spontaneous trip to Shanghai has never been more leisurely thanks to Juneyao Air‘s nonstop service between Sydney and Shanghai’s Pudong Airport.  Being a new entrant on the Australian aviation scene, Juneyao Air may not be so well known in the country. However, it is well known in China, where its extensive domestic network connects Shanghai with dozens of cities nationwide.  Australian travellers may find Shanghai a particularly appealing stopover city for those visiting one of Juneyao Air’s European destinations, including Athens, Manchester, Brussels, and Helsinki.

 

 

 

By Robert La Bua – Global Travel Connoisseur

 

 

 

 

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