18 Oct 2018
World’s first subterranean resort opens in Shanghai
BY Andrew Manns
The Shimao Wonderland InterContinental (IHG), the world’s first underground hotel, has opened in Songjiang, around 22 miles (35 km) from Shanghai in the Sheshan Mountain Range.
Built in a 100m (328ft)-deep abandoned quarry, the hotel, which has been in development for a decade, was designed by Studio JADE+QA and the British architectural firm Atkins.
Situated around a manmade lake and amid cascading waterfalls, the 18-storey, 336-guest room structure will be powered by its own geothermal and solar system and will feature an underwater restaurant and aquarium.
The leisure-oriented, 'waveform' venue, which won gold at the MIPIM Asia Conference in 2011, will also have a swimming pool as well as facilities for bungee jumping and rock-climbing.
IHG operates five hotels in the Shanghai area; six further hotels are currently under construction.
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