Obama in China: Long gone, and still headlinin'
Protest in Guangzhou: Why would you burn garbage?
Barbie Spa: For the cosmopolitan plastic beauty in you
Interview: Coco Zhao, from jazz to M. Butterfly
Week Around the Ists
Yesterday, we read with interest a few news stories about the approval of a 15.3 billion yuan (US$1.9 billion) expansion of the Hongqiao Airport. By 2010 (of course) there should be a new runway, a new 250,000 square meter terminal, and access to high-speed trains, inter-city trains and subways all at the airport. This all sounds great: Shanghai's most conveniently located airport gets even more convenient (hopefully they do something about the long taxi lines, too). But nowhere in the stories did we see what we really wanted to see — that Hongqiao would once again start living up to the word "International" that still appears on some of its signs. Ninety-five percent of the time we fly in or out of Shanghai we have to schlep all the way to the fun vacuum that is Pudong International. Shanghaiist would like to start a grassroots civic campaign (China loves those, right?) to make Pudong the city's domestic airport and newly improved Hongqiao the international hub, or at least encourage them to share. Anyone want to sign our petition?
Image from easygoal.
add to stumble upon
add to reddit
post to facebook
I forgot to mention my favorite line from the Xinhua story:
Doubling the amount of traffic that goes in and out of the airport should do the trick.
Why would we want to travel to Pudong for a domestic flight that would last shorter than said taxi ride? I think I'd rather tolerate a long taxi ride if I was heading somewhere long-haul.
I say just improve the express train services (not necessarily with the Maglev) to Pudong (much like those in HK or KL).
I am admittedly biased since I don't take too many domestic flights. (And I'm not really starting a grassroots campaign.)
I actually prefer the Pudong airport because the Maglev ride is always enjoyable and convenient, that is if you live in Pudong.
Never cared much for the dinky Hong Qiao airport. Although the upcoming expansion could make it a much more convenient (?) airport.
CJ
EITHER airport is pretty sad when it comes to the actual facility, especially in the boarding areas. Those "coffee/noodle shops" are depressing, in addition to the usual high prices. Has anyone been to the new Baiyun Airport in Guangzhou? They're definitely going in the right direction there.
Maybe the upgrades will put some proper restaurants and/or food in SHA. I'm tired of chicken gizzards and salt/sugar crackers while I wait to get on planes. :(
Hongqiao is already probably one of the most convenient airports on the planet. It takes no more than 20 minutes to get your boarding pass, clear security, and arrive at your gate. I rather dislike KFC and McD's, but they are easier than any of the overpriced cafes. Shenzhen and Beijing (Subway!) are the only other airports in China with fast food. Baiyun is a horrible airport. It looks nice and new, but has very little in terms of food, shopping, or anything to help pass the time. Also they don't open until 5:30am which is very pathetic for an 'International' airport.