GLOBAL SPOTTING REPORTS
CHINA A - K
A wonderful place to go spotting. After the states there has to be more planes here to see than anywhere else. Some serious time should be spent travelling around here to get everything. A visit to Beijing will only put a mere dent in your listings. I made my seventh visit in 12 years and still made over 500 chinese airliners after having made 2400 on previous trips. They continue to buy new planes at a rapid pace and with hundreds of airports the planes are flying from everywhere to everywhere.
Automated check in machines now mean you can check in as early as you want if you are hand luggage only. I had a small case and large backpack and had no problems. Either swipe your passport or manually enter your passport number.
If you don’t have a room with a view it can be worthwhile getting airside before first departures as a lot of based aircraft don’t return until late evening. Queues for security can be very large after 6am.
Visas
Reports suggest people have problems getting a visa when they include Urumqi on there itinerary. Simple Answer, don’t put Urumqi on your itinerary. You are not bound by the itinerary you put on your application and can change it. I don’t include domestic flights on my application, only hotel bookings. So book a hotel somewhere else with free cancellation. Urumqi is not a special autonomous region like Tibet and there are no restrictions on going there. Why some embassies don’t allow it on the itinerary is unknown.
Most larger cities now offer visa on arrival for 72 or 144 hours for free. I tried it on an 8 hour layover in Beijing and got told it had to be 10 hours or more. There are some limitations though. You have to arrive and depart from the same city or region and cannot travel outside of the region. I’m pretty sure if you are in Shanghai you are allowed to go to Hangzhou and somewhere else as they are in the same region.
Connecting Internationally through China.
From what I can tell the only place you can connect is the Air China terminal in Beijing. Everywhere else you need to enter China with either a visa or visa on arrival. Collect your luggage and check in again. Check in with luggage only opens 3 hours before.
Places to consider:
A first visit should really include at least Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
After that its well worth considering Kunming, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing, Tianjin and Xian.
The more adventourous should also take in Beijing Nan Yuan, Xiamen, Nanjing, Guiyang and Urumqi.
Other destinations that are increasing in size and based airlines that may be worth a visit in the future are Fuzou, Quingdao, Zhengzhou, Sanya and Nanning.
Reports on any other destinations greatly appreciated.
Main Hubs
9 Air - Guangzhou
Air China – Beijing, Chengdu ( A321’s A319’s ), Chongqing (B737)
Air China Inner Mongolia - Hohhot
Capital Airlines – Several flights from Haikou and Sanya and lets just say a few planes in lots of other places.
Chengdu Airlines – Chengdu
China Eastern – Shanghai both airports, Kunming ( B737s), Nanjing (A320s)
China Express – Chongqing, smaller base at Guiyang and Hohhot and a few flights from other locations
China Postal – Nanjing
China Southern – Guangzhou (including some E190s), Shenzhen, Urumqi (including E190’s), Shenyang, Zhengzhou (Henan
Division)
China United – Beijing Nanyuan
Chongqing Airlines – Chongqing
Colorful Guizhou Airlines – Guiyang
Donghai Airlines – Shenzhen
Fuzhou Airlines - Fuzhou, Harbin
Genghis Khan Airlines - Hohhot
GX Airlines – Nanning
Hainan Airlines – Beijing, Haikou
Hebei Airlines – Shijiazhuang
Hongtu Airlines - Nanchang, Kunming
Jiangxi Airlines - Nanchang
Juneyao Airlines – Shanghai both airports
Kunming Airlines – Kunming
Longjiang Airlines - Harbin
Loong Airlines - Hangzhou and a couple of planes in several other locations
Lucky Air – Kunming
Okay Airways – Tianjin
Qingdao Airlines – Quingdao
Ruili Airlines - Kunming
SF Airlines – Shenzhen, Hangzhou
Shandong Airlines – Jinan, Qingdao
Shanghai Airlines – Shanghai both airports
Shenzhen Airlines – Shenzhen, Guangzhou
Sichuan Airlines – Chengdu, Chongqing
Spring Airlines – Shanghai both airports
Suparna - Shanghai Pudong, Zhengzhou
Tianjin Airlines – Tianjin, Xian and a few planes in several other locations
Tibet Airlines – Chengdu, Lhasa
West Air – Chongqing, Zhengzhou
Xiamen Airlines – Xiamen, Fuzhou, Hangzhou
Security:
Not usually anything to worry about. They usually have no problem with the use of binoculars of cameras. Spotting is even taking off with the locals, there are several local photographers all with expensive equipment seen at Beijing. However I have been questioned a couple of times and they especially didn’t like it in Chongqing. More recently in Sep 2017, 2 spotters where detained while spotting from outside departures in Hangzhou. They where kept for 9 hours, had there hotel room searched and SBS and Logs confiscated. My last trip in March 2018 encountered no problems but spotting was mostly done from hotels or airside.
Hotels:
Most airports have a hotel with a view and standards have greatly improved. However that comes with an increase in price so getting a view can be costly.
Food:
Difficult to find anything decent. Due to the nature of being at the airport you mostly have to resort to fast food, KFC being an option usually on offer. The local cuisine is somewhat hard to know what it is and when you do try it not very nice. Its not like popping down to your local Chinese take out. This is Chinese food and includes anything and everything that we would normally discard. They seen to live on a diet of noodles and veg. They still eat like they are living in poverty and can only afford the basics.
Language:
A lot of people don’t speak English and you can expect to resort to sign language a lot. Be sure to take the names of hotels or places you want to go written in Chinese. Especially if you want to visit any museums or technical schools. The larger airports and more international hotels have some English speaking staff.
Travel Agents:
Previously I have mostly used Ctrip. You can book any flights or hotels with them and they have very good and helpful English speaking staff. They will help you with whatever you need and always reply to emails very quickly. They now seemed to have sorted out there problem with accepting credit cards online.
On my last trip I made several bookings with China Travel Depot. There prices where nearly always cheaper than Ctrip when searching on skyscanner. No problems and excellent service when I needed to change my passport number on the flight bookings. Its very important they have the correct number as this is used to check in.
Its also very easy to book stuff on your own when you get there. Ticket desks are very flexible for changing flights and you can often book reasonably priced flights on the day. Again with the hotels its very easy to turn up without a reservation.
Flights seem to be cheapest around 2 or 3 months before you go. I was planning my last trip about 6 months before and prices were ridiculous. Set an alert on skyscanner and they all gradually came down to reasonable prices.
Beijing – Jul 2019
LANDSIDE
The Mound – From T3 level 1 turn right. Take the next possible right, don’t worry about the guard. Follow the road around and you come to a park area. From here you should be able to make out were the mound is and find your way to it. There is a toilet here although only a hole in the floor. There are no food or drink facilities so go prepared. Its about a 20 minute walk and there is no shelter. On the opposite side of the park to the airport, across the main road is a small shop if you can find it. From the mound you will get all movements on the middle runway, the primary departure runway. If the weather is good and with a decent pair of binoculars you can get some arrivals or departures on the two outer runways.
T3 Departures – There are no views from inside the terminal anymore. They have put frosted glass everywhere. From outside at either end of the terminal you can see some stands and the runway thresholds. However its through two sets of glass which can make it difficult to read some stuff. This is your only option if the weather is bad.
T2/T1 – There is a free shuttle bus between terminals located on level 1. Can be worth an occasional visit. As the bus approaches T2 keep an eye out for some Biz . From T2 walk towards T1. There is an interconnecting bridge giving some views. From T1 go to arrivals. Go outside and turn right. Follow the road around and keep going until you get views of some T1 stands. You are now at the far runway and can see all movements here. Early morning there will be a load of Hainan aircraft parked down here. Also SF Airlines park there aircraft here, 1 or 2 B737’s are usually present. If you carry on walking underneath the taxiway and out the other side you will find another ramp where Hainan and Capital park. About another 10 mins walk. Early morning there was over 10 aircraft parked up. Most T1/T2 traffic will land on this runway. A lot of it will take of on the middle runway but you will miss stuff if you can’t get them arriving. This isn’t a bad spot at night. The taxiway is lit up and you can get all traffic moving between the runway and T1/T2.
AIRSIDE
T2 Domestic and International has decent views of traffic parked up here and also views of the central runway and across to T3.
T3 is very large and can involve a lot of walking. Gate E24 in the international area has excellent views of the central runway and across to terminal 2 as well as comfy seats and chargers. A long transit here would be a good way to do this place. Saying that you can’t get the Biz from here.
HOTELS
Langham Place – Previously reported as having great views. Unfortunately not unless you get rooms 5001 or 4001. 3 of us made the same mistake when I was there. The view of the middle runway is at a diagonal and the glass is to thick to read anything. If your prepared to rely solely on SBS then it could work but its not what I would call fun. There is certainly no need to pay extra for the 6th floor. Overall it’s a good hotel, serving reasonable food and beer. However its rather expensive. On the convenient side it’s a 10 minute walk to T3 and 15 minute to the mound. Its maybe worth paying for the convenience but expect to rely on sbs unless you can guarantee 1 of those rooms. They also have a shuttle bus every 20 mins to T3 and every 30 mins to T1/T2.
CITIC / Formerly Sino Swiss – Regular rooms upto the ninth floor. The 11th floor is suites. Room 938 is best or even numbers just below it. These rooms face east allowing views of 2 runways and distance views of T3. Arrivals on the central runway can just be read off with decent optics if the weather is ok although this is mostly used for departures. If departing in this direction they proved a little harder to read. The far runway would require SBS. Next to room 938 is an emergency exit door leading to an outdoor staircase allowing views of the runway behind you which can be easily read off. So everything can be seen with the help of SBS. There is no need to pay for a suite on the 11th floor. There is no staircase access on this level but there is a window which has views of this runway. Has a shuttle bus every hour and cheap to get to in a taxi. Its walkable from the mound in about 30 minutes and there is a small supermarket and some eateries close by.
There are many other cheaper hotels in the vicinity so if you don’t want to pay the price for the above then you will be fine. Most of them will operate shuttle buses and if you can’t be bothered to wait for one then taxis are cheap. Just be sure to have the hotel name in Chinese.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Predominantly Air China with a good mix of China Southern, China Eastern and Hainan. A few Xiamen, Shandong, Shenzhen and Capital. Don’t expect too see many of the smaller airlines here. In less than a day and a half I logged 340 airliners and around 30 biz. For a first visit 2 days is probably a good start here. A lot of stuff is based and repeats itself so by the second day you will get a lot of dupes and get bored of Air China. Each major airport has its own set of based aircraft so you have to travel around several different airports in China if you want to see most stuff.
Tip – Beijing Aviation Club is only about 10 mins away. Situated to the west / South west you can find it on google earth. Theres about 10 aircraft here including a B146 and 2 Y7’s. When you enter the premises there is an impressive building in front of you. The planes aren’t here though and there is no need to enter. Turn right and continue down the road and you should find them.
Tip – Datangshan Museum is about 1 and a half hours away containing hundreds of aircraft. Mostly fighters or lights with several Russian transports its an impressive place to see even if you don’t collect this stuff. Combine this up with a visit to the Great wall makes for a good day out.
Tip – If your really keen or maybe you could tie it up with a visit to Tianamen square, there is an IL62 B-2028 preserved at World Park. Situated 25 miles away from the airport.
Beijing Nanyuan – Closed Sep 2019
Nanyuan has now closed with operations moving to Daxang. This includes the government aircraft who reportedly have a ramp adjacent to Daxang.
However stored aircraft may still remain there. Check google earth. As of May 2016 these aircraft where:
Stored on the approach road:
B-4004 T154 B-4016 T154
B-4022 T154 ( parked on the main ramp near the stored aircraft )
1058 An12 CUA-50959 An24
B-4064 An24 B-4066 An24
2 an2’s and several military aircraft
Parked alongside the runway:
B-4001 T154 B-4029 T154
B-4014 T154 B-4050 T154
B-4015 T154 B-4051 T154
B-4017 T154 B-4053 B737
B-4023 T154 B-4066 CR7
B-4024 T154 B-4067 CR7
B-4027 T154 B-4068 CR7
B-4028 T154 B-4069 CR7
Chengdu – May 2016
LANDSIDE
No Views
AIRSIDE
The arrivals level is underneath the departures but I was able to walk around all the domestic gates and get most of what was in before going landside. From the departures area most gates can be seen, except the international gates and the ramp on the other side where Sichuan park some of there aircraft. On the other side of the domestic terminal is a massive ramp for aircraft parking off stand. As they park nose on several aircraft can be unreadable.
HOTELS
Chengdu Airport Hotel – They have a shuttle bus but if you know where it is then its fairly easy to walk to. Located inbetween both terminals but set back across the main road. The 10th floor is apparently family rooms. Which leaves the 9th floor which is a smoking floor. You are just high enough to see the runway and a taxiway. No gates can be seen. All movements on this runway can be seen. From the window at the end of the corridor you can see aircraft taxiing to and from the far runway in the distance but sbs is required to identify these. The 8th floor is just high enough but not ideal, so I put up with a smoking room. Once the window was open it was fine and I didn’t notice the smell. Even numbered rooms have a view. Room 946 is the closest to the window at the end of the corridor. If your not using sbs then you may miss some stuff during the morning rush. They use both runways for departures so anything departing on the far runway, from the gates closer to it will be missed. If your using sbs then you will have to stand at the window in the corridor to see stuff taxiing out. During the day they use one runway for departures and one for arrivals.
Update from Gary Browne - Apr 2018
I stayed in 914 which overlooks the gap between the terminals and you can read stuff going to the Sichuan (T1) and international terminal. The remote ramp can be seen from here (mostly Sichuan here) you can just see the outer taxiway from 9th floor.
Early morning both runways are used for departures, the flow of traffic on which runway is dependant on the destination routing. so for South and East departures use 02R/20L (far runway) and North and West departures are from 02L/20R.
After the morning rush the landings are on 02R or 20R so if flying in and to see the biz jet ramp and the small Air China maintenance hangar a window on the right side is recommended. After landing you can walk along the whole terminals if arriving on Sichuan (terminal 1), not so if you are in the new terminal (terminal 2) separate corridor to exit not sure if you can get to departures from here unless in transit.
Landside you can see the main Sichuan ramp and part of runway 02L/20R from the T1 rest area for transfer passengers on the third floor, handy if your flying Sichuan. If not you can look through the windows.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The old home of China Southwest Airlines, now amalgamated with Air China. Expect a large amount of Airbus models based. Also situated in Sichuan province expect a large number of Sichuan Airlines. Chengdu Airlines are also based along with Tibet Airlines. One of the busier airports and well worth a visit. Advisable to be there first thing in a morning as many of the based aircraft will not return again till late evening.
There is a Sichuan Y7 preserved here – B-3497. Its parked near the hangers and ramp to the north of T1. Its not Airside but on the other side of a wall next to a Sichuan Airlines building I think. It can probably be seen from Landside by taking a walk down the road. I could just see it over the wall when I got bused to the plane. Take a look on google earth.
Chongqing – Mar 2018
LANDSIDE
There is a seating area on the upper section of the departures level in terminal 2A/B. You can see some gates and it has a good view of the taxiway and runway between you and the new terminal. Gates on this side of the new terminal can be seen. However a couple of years ago I got told not to use my binoculars and then got visited by the police for using my camera.
New Terminal 3 - Nothing inside. Departures ramp has views of arrivals on either runway and some stands can be seen. Albeit through two layers of glass causing distortion. I spent 20 minutes out here. A long period may attract attention.
AIRSIDE
Old Terminal 2 - Each pier has plenty of windows so nothing should be missed. Some stuff on the new terminal will be missed.
Terminal 3 - International - Limited views. Terminal 2 is out of sight. You can see the runway on this side from which most departures go from. Except T2 planes. From the very bottom of the terminal you could see the approach for the other side but most where just too far away to read off.
Terminal 3 - Domestic - Not sure but looked like you would be able to get good views of both sides.
HOTELS
Rica Hotel
Opposite the old terminal 2. Room 9017 provided excellent views over the whole airport. This was a corner room. Odd numbered rooms below this would have a 45 degree angle onto the airport looking towards the approach. Odd numbered rooms higher than this face the airport. There are rooms on the tenth floor. These have balconies with odd numbered rooms from 1019 to 1033 providing views. Breakfast is served up there but no views. I think floors below this would be fine as well. Traffic on T2 and this side of T3 can be read. SBS would be required for the far runway. At night traffic taxiing out of T2 can be read but SBS required for anything else.
I booked a more expensive room to try and get a view. On ctrip it was a Guestroom with View (Balcony) 1 Bedroom. There wasn’t a balcony on the ninth floor, but the windows opened fully. I had a large room with double bed, sofa and large flat screen TV.
Most arrivals and departures from T2 are on the near runway. Most departures and some arrivals on the far runway.
Possibly the days inn next door has views as well. Taxi’s to these hotels are very cheap. Not walkable due to road system.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Situated in Sichuan province you can expect a large number of Sichuan Airlines who share this with Chengdu up the road as there main bases. Air China have a fairly large fleet of B737s based.
China Express at this time have 10 or 11 CRJ900s departing early morning from 600am. Most don’t come back during the day so you need to nightstop here if you want to see them. All 3 of the A320s also seen.
Chongqing Airlines and West Air are based here. Tibet airlines was also a notable sighting followed by several flights from the other carriers.
A few new West Air and Sichuans came in during the afternoon but the morning rush would get you the majority of whats based.
T2 is now for Sichuan, West and China Express with everything else on the new terminal.
Guangzhou – Mar 2018
LANDSIDE
If your not staying at a hotel or don’t have a view then I suggest you either get a taxi to the China Southern hotel or walk towards it. About 300m from the hotel going towards the airport there is a road which runs parallel to the cross taxiways. Good views of the terminal and with a lot of aircraft using the cross taxiway, most movements should be seen unless the weather is bad. Its possible to get some stuff taxiing for the runways but theres a lot of aircraft and trees in the way so some stuff will be missed. Obviously no facilities here. Its possible to get some stuff on gate at night and on the taxiways.
From the airport itself it is very difficult. A few things can be seen from the departure ramp. Otherwise walk to the end of the arrivals pier in the direction of the control tower and you get views of some gates and taxiways. If they are taking of from this end you could get stuff going for take off on the respective side you are looking at. Expect to miss a lot though.
AIRSIDE
The Airport is effectively split up in 2 sections, each facing its respective runway. Anything on the other side won’t be seen unless it taxi’s around to use the runway you can see.
HOTELS
China Southern Pearl Hotel Situated off airport.
I recently heard a rumour that this has closed or dosent accept bookings from non airline staff so it may not be available.
Odd number rooms from 5007 to 5027 would work on the 5th floor. Higher the number the better. All movements can be seen and most read off unless the weather is bad. The cross taxiway is in front of you with runways to either side. Some gates can be seen but most are hidden as is the nature of the terminal. This airport dosent like to waste lighting so its not possible to get stuff at night. For this you have to walk to the road alongside the taxiway.
Pullman Hotel
Accessed from departures level. Very convenient to the airport and high rooms provide views. There are 2 wings each with seven floors. Even numbered rooms ending 06-32 should have views. For example 1730 for wing one, seventh floor and 2730 for wing 2, seventh floor. The rooms look towards the control tower with the runways out to either side. Only a few gates are visable with most behind you. All movements can be seen but not necesarily read off depending upon direction. If landing from the north, all arrivals can be seen and a few read off. All departures can be read off taxiing out. If landing from the south most arrivals will turn off too early and departures appear late if coming from behind you and will be difficult if not impossible to read. If you don’t use sbs then you will have to spot from elsewhere.
For those with who like to rely on SBS it can be very useful at night and during bad weather, or just to confirm stuff as the angle of the glass can make it tricky at times.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This place has become really busy. My fifth time here and I still made 70 in just 7 hours. China Southern had 9 E190’s based. There is also an increasing number of international flights with Saudi, Egyptair, Ethiopian, Qatar, Myanmar, Cambodia etc all starting service in the last few years.
There is also a technical school here. Situated at the opposite end of the airport from the hotel and near the cargo area. Explaining where to go is the tricky part. Printing a picture of from google maps would probably be the best idea. I went a few years ago when the inmates where:
B-2142 M82
B-3457 Y7 B-3468 Y7
B-3486 Y7 B-3488 Y7
As well as some smaller stuff.
There was also a technical school at the old airport – about a 30 minute ride away, with some tridents and an antonov amongst other bits. Not sure if this still exists but if your interested you could try finding it on google maps. They are in a compound on the opposite side of the runway than the terminal.
TIP – Get the bus to Shenzhen for 10 pound and then a bus to the airport. A few years ago you could buy tickets inside arrivals near Door B5. The bus left aprox every hour from door B9 starting at 0940. Check timetables on arrival though. Get of at the first stop in Shenzhen and from the same bus stop you cold take bus no 6 to the airport for about 50pence taking about 15 mins.
Guiyang - Mar 2018
LANDSIDE
Upstairs at the far end of the main domestic terminal had views of the runway and inbetween 2 piers.
AIRSIDE
Excellent views. The end of the pier on the left side or central is best. The right pier has good vies of the remote stands.
HOTELS
There is a hotel located inbetween the terminals. It never came up when I searched for hotels near the airport so I had already booked the hotel across the road which was the regal riverside. Didn’t quite live upto its name. The bathroom had dirt which had fallen from the ceiling. But I was only there for 7 hours and just wanted some sleep. The room and bed seemed clean enough.
The hotel at the airport may offer views. Rooms where located on floors 4-6 according to the lift which sounded promising. I tried to enquire and got told no views but I don’t think she really understood me. Price was about 55 pound.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Colourful Guizhou Airlines are based and all 9 where on the ground first thing. Like all Chinese airports the based stuff goes out in the morning and a lot of dosent return until late at night. Therefore you won’t see that many throughout the day if your not there for first departures.
I counted 51 parked up first thing. Other things of note included 5 China Express CRJ900s, 5 Tianjin E190s and 3 9 Air B737s.
Not the busiest but the quality more than makes up for it. Stuff difficult to see anywhere else. I made 39 from arriving the previous night and left at 10am.
First departures are at 0650 but I suggest being in the security queue before 6am. It took me 20 mins at that time and by the time I was through the queue was significantly larger.
Hangzhou - Mar 2018
LANDSIDE
The departure ramps offer excellent views but after previous reports of spotters being detained for several hours and having sbs confiscated only the brave and the stupid would attempt to spot from here.
AIRSIDE
I didn’t go airside but it looks like everything should be seen.
HOTELS
Fortunately there is a hotel with a view.
ZTG Grand Hotel
Room 900 is the room you want. Top floor executive 2 bedroom with 180 degree views of the airport. Terminal in front of you with runways out to either side. I had only booked a standard room but after seeing the location of this room I asked for the upgrade. They charged about 25 pound extra. If you don’t get this room then there are windows next to it at the end of the corridor providing a similar view.
I was still able to read some stuff off at night when taxiing for departure on 06 and some stands are lit up.
You can walk to the airport from here in about 10 mins. If you cross over the road there is a footpath which leads into the international terminal. KFC inside if you don’t fancy the strange items on the hotel restaurants menu.
Basically all rooms should have a view. Even numbers look south which will get you departures on 06 or arrivals if on 24. Odd numbers will get you arrivals on 07 or departures if on 25
On the 8th floor. Standard rooms. At the opposite end of the hotel there is a window at the end of the corridor overlooking the Biz ramp and some remote stands. Room 878 is here and if there is a window on the side you should be able to monitor arrivals if on 07 as well see departures in front of you.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This is now in the top 10 busiest airports in China and the home of Loong Airlines. Xiamen also have a massive base and probably the largest operator here. Capital also have quite a few flights along with the occasional Tianjin E190 and good selection of other airlines make it one of the more interesting places to visit.
Jinan – Feb 2012
LANDSIDE
No Views
AIRSIDE
Looked possible to stay airside on arrival. Views of all stands.
HOTELS
Jinan Airport Hotel – Another local hotel but not to bad compared to some of the others. Rooms on the fifth floor have some views of the terminal and windows at the end of the corridor give a view of the runway and some remote stands. They have a shuttle bus. Ask at information and they will phone for it. It turned up in 2 minutes. Otherwise its about 10 minutes walk if you know where to go.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Situated in Shandong Province and home to half of Shandongs fleet. I visited her for the CRJs but it looks like these won’t be in service much longer.
Kunming – Mar 2018
LANDSIDE
Good views from the departures ramp. There is a runway out to either side of the terminal. Each end of the departures ramp has views of one runway threshold and some gates and its possible to see through the terminal windows to the gates on the other side. China Eastern own one half of the airport with all the rest on the other half. With a decent pair of bins it was possible to get movements on both sides. I stood here for 8 hours previously with no issues from the police who have a large presence here.
This time the weather wasn’t great so I went upstairs in the food court. There is one on each side providing views of some stands and the respective runway. I sat at one end and wandered to the other every hour or so. You can’t get everything but it does a job.
AIRSIDE
Plently of windows, all movements can be seen. When landing from the north gate 36 area seamed like the best spot to see most things.
HOTELS
Best Yue Hang Hotel
About a 10 min walk from the terminal. Even numbers on the 8th or 9th floor, preferably ending 28 or higher as the hotel curves away. Only a few stands can be seen but all movements can be monitored. The terminal is in front of you with runways out to either side. SBS required at night and if landing/departing from the north. If departing from this end you can probably read stuff as it taxis onto the runway for departure. Arrivals would come from behind the hotel and sbs would be required for these. So not ideal if you don’t use sbs.
There is a hotel located in the terminal. However it was in between the arrivals and departures level and would have no views.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Situated in Yunnan Province expect to see the fleet of China Easterns Yunnan Divison. Kunming Airlines, Ruili and Lucky Air are also based. Like most places some of the aircraft will depart early morning and not return until late evening so getting first departures is the best way to see everything.
This place is now very busy and you can expect to make a lot. A lot of aircraft are based here that are hard to see elsewhere.
Also noted where Qingdao, Donghai, Hebei, Fuzhou, China Express, OK, Tianjin, Capital and West air making this possibly the best place in terms of variety and quantity. Some of the Airlines now seem to base some aircraft elsewhere in the region and not everything was seen.
