Hotels attract guests in different ways. Some rely on a unique design, others are built in good locations, and still others convince with low prices. But only a few offer you the possibility of living underground.
InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland can boast of the title the first hotel located entirely underground. A Chinese hotel that is open to the public since November 20 last year, pampers guests in the truest sense of the word.
What are the 10 things you just need to know about the world's first underground hotel?
1. It is located very close to Shanghai.
Tourists usually pay a lot of attention to the location of the hotel. The underground hotel serves as a great starting point for exploring Shanghai - China's largest city with a population of over 25 million. It is located approximately 30 kilometers southwest of the city center.
2. The price of an overnight stay in the cheapest room is 520 euros.
If you want to spend the night in a unique hotel, you will have to dig deep into your wallet. For an overnight stay in the cheapest room, it is necessary to pay approximately 4,000 Chinese yuan, which translates to 520 euros.
3. A quarry once operated on the site where the hotel stands.
Looking at the hotel, it is immediately clear that the creators invested a lot of effort and time in the construction. Even more impressive is the fact that there was once a quarry on the site, which today is no longer heard of.
4. It was designed by the company that built the Burj Al Arab hotel.
The Chinese hotel was signed by the British architectural firm Atkins - the latter is known for having built the famous Burj Al Arab hotel, which has the shape of a sail and is found on an artificial island in Dubai.
5. Construction took 10 years.
The construction of most hotels usually takes between two and three years, and the 'Shanghai Fairyland' was only completed after 10 years. As many as 5,000 architects, engineers, designers and workers were behind the project. They needed more time mainly because no complex had been built in the past that could be modeled after.
6. Artificial lake, aquarium and artificial waterfall
Next to the artificial lake and aquarium, the hotel also includes an artificial waterfall. It uses water from the river that flows in the immediate vicinity of the former quarry.
7. Uses geothermal and solar energy.
Recently, architecture has been trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Technological progress allows the use of alternative energy sources to become more and more accessible. In particular, geothermal and solar energy, which is also used by the Chinese hotel, are very effective.
8. Water sports, bungee jumping and rock climbing
Visitors will be able to enjoy many sports activities. The complex boasts its own water sports center and also offers bungee jumping and rock climbing.
9. A glass footpath has been built next to the hotel.
In addition to attractions that include bungee jumping and rock climbing, there is also a glass walkway. This was supposed to be built for an easier transition between the lower and upper floors of the hotel.
10. There are 16 floors underground.
The quarry provided the designers with an excellent place to build a hotel. Wanting to build a few more floors and an artificial lake, they continued to dig. The highest floor of the hotel is located on the ground floor, while as many as 16 floors can be found below ground.
11. Every room has a balcony.
Before visiting the hotel, it is definitely necessary to inquire whether your room has a balcony. If you decide to go to a Shanghai subway hotel, you will save some time, because almost all rooms include a balcony.
Are you interested in what the hotel looks like from the inside? Find out more in the gallery below.
Gallery - InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland: the world's first underground hotel
More information:
ihg.com
