GLOBAL SPOTTING REPORTS
CHINA L - Z
Lanzhou – Sep 2014
LANDSIDE
From the departures ramp its possible to see some stands and movements on the runway. You can also take a walk down towards maintenance to get the stored aircraft.
AIRSIDE
Plenty of windows. All movements can be easily seen.
HOTELS
WHAT TO EXPECT
A good mixture of airlines including a few not easily seen elsewhere. Had a busy spell around lunchtime but then went very quiet so check timetables for the best times. The main reason for visiting was the stored aircraft:
B146’s
B-2703
B-2720
B-2718 - Painted as EX-27002. This is not the current registered EX-27002 that has been noted in service. it is thought this aircraft was originally purchased by the same compnay but NTU and another aircraft found.
E-145’s
B-3049
B-3050
B-3051
B-3053
Nanjing – Feb 2012
LANDSIDE
The departure ramp to the right of the terminal and some windows inside have views of the runway an many off stand gates. All movements should be seen from here. If you walk down the opposite departure ramp some more stands come into view. You can’t get everything though and a walk down the perimeter will get you a view more. Especially the few biz that may not move. However a right hand seat on departure should taxi past all these stands assuming they are taking off in that direction.
AIRSIDE
Anything on gate can be seen as well as some of the nearby off gates. Views of the runway allow all movements to be seen.
HOTELS
The Nanjing Airport hotel or Kongkang hotel as it was called on elong has great views. www.kghotel.net. Was the website on there business card. Room 542 and 536 look directly over the runway and many off stand gates. Most stuff can be read off and anything moving should go past you. The ramp is well floodlit and therefore anything taxiing for take off can still be logged at night. Leave departures and turn right. Walk down the ramp and it’s the building at the bottom. Surprisingly it was fairly nice compared to some of the other local / crew hotels. They had a cafe with beer and food or you can buy it cheaper in the terminal shop.
WHAT TO EXPECT
China Postal appear to be based here. They had 9 departures between 6am and 730. You cant see them on stand though. You have to get them as they taxi out either from the departure ramp or hotel. If they are using the opposite end of the runway they will just take off in front of you so you won’t be able to get them at night.
China Eastern also have a large base here. Expect over 20 airbus on the ground first thing as well as upto 4 E145’s. Strangely Shenzhen also had a large number of movements with about 8 or 9 seen between 8pm and the morning. Movements were fairly steady and departures were still going till 11pm.
3 China Eastern B146’s remain derelict here. B-2711, 2715, 2719. They are parked outside China Easterns hanger and if they are taking off in the right direction a seat on the right side for departure will go past these, or left side for landing. Or you can take a walk. I went searching for an E145 in the hanger and came across these. I’m not sure I was meant to be there though. I found my way to the hanger and was basically airside. I could have walked into the hanger or jumped over a small fence onto the airfield. Shocking lack of security. There were no barriers down and no one stopped me walking down there. 1 guy walked straight past me and several vehicles were driving around but nobody seemed to mind. I thought better of going into the hanger to get the E145 though. You could see into the back of the hanger but as usual the E145’s hide the reg in front of the engine.
Shanghai Hongqiao – Mar 2018
LANDSIDE
None
AIRSIDE
Spring airlines and international flights use the old terminal 1. All other domestic use the T2. Assuming you land here then its possible to stay in this area. You are not in departures but you have access and window views to all gates and can get everything before going landside. Again on departure you will have good views of all movements.
HOTELS
Shanghai Hongqiao Airport Hotel ( Air China ) or Boyue Hotel
Located next to Terminal 2 with access on the departures level. Rooms have excellent views. It looks like only executive rooms have the view though and these can be rather expensive. They allow you access to the executive room where you can have a complimentary breakfast with the same view. Floors 10-12. Room numbers 1101 – 1119 all faced the airport. Can’t remember if it was odd numbers only though. I noticed that if you booked the day before the rate was cheaper but this may not always be the case.
Argyle Hotel
Located close to T1. About a 15-20 minute drive from T2. There are shuttle buses between terminals but only once per hour on the half hour. Otherwise taxis are cheap. The hotel does offer shuttle buses to T2 in the morning every hour on the hour.
Top floor is 12 but 10th floor is high enough, maybe even 9th. Anything between 16 and 20 have good views. ( Eg 1220 or 1017 ). Anything below 16 will start to deteriorate as the hotel curves away.
All movements can be seen. A few Biz can be read from the room and the windows at the end of the corridor. It is a bit distant and if the weather deteriorates as quite often is the case in Shanghai it will be hard to read stuff. I could read a few things at night on arrival or on stand but sbs would be needed for most stuff.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Shanghai’s Domestic airport is a base for both Spring Airlines and Juneyao. China Eastern and Shanghai Airlines also have large bases which they all split with Pudong. The other main carriers also have several based aircraft. Not much in the way of the lesser airlines though. Lacks variety but essential to get the based aircraft.
Shanghai Pudong – Sep 2014
Update from Gary Browne - Apr 2018
The new terminal is built, they are busy with the ramp and air bridges and also the access to this terminal, which is being built meaning the closure of stands viewed from the Da Zhong in terminal 1. There's been a change of some of the airlines using T1 and T2 as the loss of stands during this construction has meant some parking on the new terminal ramp. The new terminal blocks view of China Eastern maintenance and some of the remote stands from the Da Zhong
LANDSIDE
Not the easiest of places and most gates are hidden but you should get most movements. Either end of both terminals overlooks several gates and you can see some of the off gate stands. Most of cargo is out of sight. Fortunately a lot of traffic uses the cross taxiway so you can get most stuff easily. The end of the departure ramps facing the cross taxiway on terminal 2 is probably best. If they are taking off from this end which they usually are then some stuff taxiing out can be got and the departures even get high enough above the terminal by this point so you can read them. Some arrivals maybe read but they disappear behind the terminal pretty quick so you have to hope they use the cross taxiway or wait for departure. If the weather is bad then you can sit inside the terminal and watch the cross taxiway, unless it gets really bad which it has done my last 2 visits. Not great when it gets dark. You can get stuff on stands but the taxiway is dark and you will have to rely on sbs if you want to keep going.
AIRSIDE
Another airport effectively split into two sections. You should get anything on your side but will miss a lot of the rest. Saying that a lot of traffic does seem to use the cross taxiway so you should see a good amount of the traffic either landing or departing.
HOTELS
Da Zhong hotel situated inbetween the terminals has some excellent views. Room 8802 is ideal and presumably the same number on floors below. Anything 4th floor up looks like it would be good enough. Room 8801 is also ideal but is apparently a business room costing extra. You have a view over the cross taxiway and can see either runway. However many arrivals disappear behind the terminal buildings before you can read them so you have to pay attention for stuff taxiing out or use SBS There is a bar/restaurant area with views of a few other stands.
WHAT TO EXPECT
China Eastern has a large presence here and there appears to be a lot more domestic flights now. Both Shanghai Airlines, Spring and Juneyao have big fleets based. There are a large number of international carriers mainly from the region – Japan, macau etc and the majority of cargo goes from here with Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Yangste River Express having several flights amongst other airlines. Another airport that has got a lot busier recently and keeps you busy all day. Over 100 made here in a day on my fourth visit.
Shanghai City optional extras – Feb 2012
Shanghai Aviation Centre situated in Jinjiang next to Jinjiang Amusement Park, No 201, Hong Mei Road. On google maps its situated south east of Hongqiou and south west of the old Longhua Airport.
I went for the JAL DC8 JA8048.
Also reported there:
652 IL14, 12641 F5, 12347 MIG15
30733 F6, 10406 MIG, 232996 MIG19 / 21
61571 CJ-6, 9328 MI-4
Shanghai Vocational School of CAAC situated at the old Longhua Airport which is to the west of Hongqiou on the west side of the river. On google maps you can just make out where the runway was runway north to south and the school is at the north end. On google maps you could still see the aircraft but they now have a roof over them. When you find the school, if the school is on your left, you need to carry on to the next traffic lights and turn left. The aircraft are in a small compound on your left and if your lucky the guard will let you in quickly to get some photo’s.
B-2702 B146
B-3406 AN24 17307105
? IL14
China Eastern B737 – parked in a compound but don’t the name or reason for it being there. Coordinates are N31 09 16, E121 28 55 on google maps. Still trying to figure out the reg / c/n. This is on the other side of the river from Longhua to the south east.
These are all situated inbetween Hongqiou and Pudong. I took a taxi for about 30 quid and took 2 hours. However I only jumped out quickly to take a couple of photo’s. If you want to spend anytime at the museum it may be best to arrange a driver. Otherwise the bus between the airports cost about 3 quid taking an hour. If you do this make sure to get everything in Chinese and print out maps, and try and get someone to explain to your taxi what you want to do.
Greenboat Park – This is quite far away and to the west of Hongqiou. Wasn’t worth it for me as all I would have took was the AN12. Coordinates are N31 06 13, E121 01 05
Inmates reported to be:
B-4062 AN12
30312 TU16, 38801, 88801, 31088, 80138, 64803 MIG’s plus several unknown aircraft on an aircraft carrier.
Shenyang – Sep 2009
LANDSIDE
The departure ramp has a partial view of the runway and all movements should be seen
AIRSIDE
Decent views of the ramp and runway
HOTELS
Shenyang Airportland Hotel is close by but I would think twice before staying here. A very strange eerie place and probably haunted. Did a job for a quick nightstop. Dosent have any views but only a 5 minute ride away.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Another china southern hub. Did have MD90’s based here but as they have been sold on there is not much of interest. Not the busiest place, especially after the morning exodus and probably little you can’t see elsewhere. ZYB lily jet are based here with a few bizjets / CRJ’s which might prove difficult to see elsewhere.
Shenzhen – May 2016
LANDSIDE
From the departures level it was possible to see a few aircraft parked up on the cargo side. It should also be possible to see arrivals or departures from here but I just wanted to get airside. Departures may be too high by this point.
AIRSIDE
Decent views and all movements should be seen. A lot of the windows are difficult to view through but the end of each concourse has decent windows. Its possible to get good views across to the Biz which park on the old terminal and the cargo area. Although they can be at a distance and a good pair of bins is needed.
HOTELS
The Sunway Hotel opposite the old terminal has good views. Its a little way back so if the weather is bad then you could struggle. I was on the top floor (10th) and wouldn’t want to be much lower. You can probably see from lower levels but I suspect the old terminal and buildings would obstruct much of the view. Rooms ending in a higher number are better. Rooms ending 26 and above allow views of the runway threshold and this gradually deteriorates the lower the number you go. Some of the gates and some remote stands can be seen and can be read off with a decent pair of bins. When I was there all traffic departed from the near runway and landed on the far runway. Some stuff on the far runway can just be read off.
The hotel reportedly offers a plane spotting package by emailing them. However I sent 2 emails and got no reply. So I made a booking on their website for a standard room. I received an automatic reply saying they received the information and that I would get another email to confirm the booking. I never received another email and had to phone the hotel to confirm. Recent reports suggest a new person can be contacted. Dimple Li who speaks good English and knows about our hobby at FBmanager@sunwayhotelsz.com
WHAT TO EXPECT
Shenzhen Airlines is the main operator but don’t expect to see them all. They also have a large base at Guangzhou and others based elsewhere. A large number will disappear in the morning but then the pace slows down until they all come back in the evening. Also just like Shenzhen airlines have done at Guangzhou, China Southern has set up a large base here, possibly with more flights than Shenzhen airlines at times. Donghai are based but again, don’t expect to see all of them. Yangste River Express and SF Airlines pitched up on cargo and a good mix of other traffic makes this a busy and interesting airport. Around 30 Biz also noted.
Shenzhen to Hong Kong
You can now get a direct bus/minibus direct to Hong Kong airport. The price from Hong Kong was $200 HK dollars (£20) so I imagine it would be similar.
Journey time is around 80 minutes with the luxury of not leaving the vehicle at the border crossing
Shenzhen to Guangzhou
Also close to Gunagzhou it should be possible to get a bus from Shenzhen station directly to Guangzhou Airport for 10 pound. I did the reverse journey. You have to figure which station to go to and how though?
Shijiazhuang – Oct 2014
LANDSIDE
Nothing from the terminal. From each side of the terminal you can see a couple of stands. Its possible to stand by the fence on the right side and watch as planes taxi past. A walk down towards the maintenance area will get you the 5 E145’s stored here. Take a look on google earth for directions.
AIRSIDE
Plenty of windows here. Take a left seat for arrival and right for departure to see the stored aircraft.
HOTELS
Oujing Holiday Hotel is located within walking distance. It can be booked on Ctrip. Very cheap and decent. Not sure if any rooms have a view.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Hebei airlines are based which can be difficult to see elsewhere. 8 Aircraft seen departing in the morning along with the five E145’s in storage. 1 or 2 flights each by the other airlines. Not the busiest place but a few planes you may struggle to see otherwise. I landed late evening and departed early morning.
Stored Aircraft E145’s:
B-3040
B-3041 now painted as P-521
B-3042
B-3043
B-3045
Tianjin – Mar 2018
LANDSIDE
From the departure ramp on the international terminal its possible to read several aircraft parked remotely. Usually Tianjin E190s. You also have views of this runway which was predominantly used for all departures. Some Biz and cargo on the far side can also be read.
Not visable from here is the main Biz ramp, stored Aircraft and technical school. To see thi stuff I recommend staying at the Tianjin Binhai International Airport Hotel on the other side of this runway. Or if not staying get a taxi to it. From here you can explore the various back streets and should be able to get views of everything parked up with a bit of walking. It was possible to get close to the technical school but not sure if thats still the case. Or you may just have to walk around until you find it. You can see them from the compound with the D328s WFU. You do have to search up and down roads though to find what you want.
AIRSIDE
Decent views and nothing should be missed from domestic. You can see anything on gate but anything off gate to the right of the terminal can only be got when it moves. You can see everything on the far side including technical school and D328’s / E145s but can’t read them off. All the Biz are parked tail on unfortunately.
The Airbus factory can be seen but was too far away to read them.
HOTELS
Tianjin Binhai International hotel – Top floor is the 8th. Room 827 would be best. There is a building in front of the hotel impeding the view. 827 is at the end of the corridor. The view gradually deteriorates with 828, 829 etc. There is a window at the end of the corridor with a good view. There is a restaurant and you can get beer and water from them. Nothing else around.
Email
Foster_yu@hotmail.com
Angelina.vong@hotmail.com
WHAT TO EXPECT
Tianjin Airlines and OK Airlines are based. Air China also have about 10 B737’s based here that are not seen at Beijing. Always produces some gap fillers. I logged 18 Tianjin Airlines E190s and Several A320s in about 20 hours. China Express CRJ900s and several other more unusual airlines make this an excellent place to visit. 2 Ma60s seen in service with OK Airlines.
I don’t remember seeing any Biz here 6 years ago. This time about 35 or more where parked up including SR Jets CRJs.
E145s stored
B-3037 WFU with the D328’s.
B-3085 and B-3082 Appeared WFU inbetween the D328s and Biz.
B-3091 parked amongst the Biz
B-3067, B-3083, B3086 parked on the remote stands near the terminal - WFU???
D328s WFU since at least 2012
B-3873, B-3892, B-3960, B-3963, B-3975, B-3978
B737 - B-2117 OK parked in front of D328’s
B737 - B-2950 parked next to Biz
Technical School
B-210 Ilyushin 18
B-3152 AN12 Air China
B-3409 AN24
B-3453 Y7 China Eastern
N893PA B707
N219FE B727 FE
B-2136 M80 China Southern
B-2204 Trident
B-2516 B737 Fuselage – Basic Xiamen cls
JA8269 B767 A/W
Plus some other smaller bits
Tip – If your into trains its possible to get here on a high speed bullet train from Beijing taking only 28 minutes. You do however have to get from the respective airports to the train stations. Not sure how easy or how long that takes.
Urumqi – Mar 2018
LANDSIDE
Terminal 3 - A cafe in departures allows views of some stands. However the terminal is side on to the runway. Therefore views of the runway are very limited and I doubt you would be able to read anything.
AIRSIDE
The new terminal 3 is exclusively for China Southern. Views of the runway are limited but from one pier you would be able to get stuff arriving or departing. Its possible to walk to terminal 2, follow signs for Gates 1-16. As you enter the walkway there was a sign saying no throughroad, do not go any further. I pleaded ignorance and found my self in terminal 2 with views of some remote stands and the runway. So I suggest flying out of terminal 2 if possible, although China Southern are the major airline here.
Lots of remote stands can’t be seen. A seat on the right side of the plane will help with a camera if departing from the east.
HOTELS
Tianyuan Hotel - About 200m back from the terminal. 4th floor just offered views of the runway and a small view of the main taxiway. All movements can be seen. Odd numbered rooms. There is a 5th and 6th floor but they wouldn’t give me them. Possibly executive rooms. They would be slightly better but not make too much difference. SBS would be required at night. It didn’t get light until 8am in march and got dark after 8pm due to it being in the same time zone as the rest of China.. A lot of stuff departs after 8am though.
Airport Hotel - If you want a cheaper option its located next to terminal 1 which seems to be still in use for a few airlines. Not sure if any rooms have a view but the end of the corridor on the top floor has views of the runway and remote stands. It may be possible to still read movements at night from here.
WHAT TO EXPECT
China Southern have a large base of B737s and E190s. Tianjin airlines also have several flights with A320s and E190s and of course Urumqi Airlines. Due to the distance from here to any other major place theres a good chance you will need most of whats here. Especially as they operate lots of local flights and international flights to the west.
About 80 or more planes nightstop. A day should be enough to get the based stuff.
Wuhan – Feb 2012
LANDSIDE
No problems from Landside. Windows inside the terminal have a view over the middle gates and partial view of the runway. You can walk down the departure ramp to see the other gates. If they are landing from the right of the terminal then its best to stand outside on the departure ramp as the off stand gates are here and you won’t see then from inside the terminal.
AIRSIDE
Wasn’t possible to stay airside on arrival. Plenty of windows in both piers however the pier to the right has views of the other stands.
HOTELS
Didn’t stay here. None seen or known about.
WHAT TO EXPECT
China Eastern no longer have E145s so not sure if its still a worthwhile visit. It will have its own set of based aircraft but other destinations should be a priority.
Xiamen – May 2016
LANDSIDE
No views from T3, the old terminal. Not sure about the new terminal 4.
AIRSIDE
Decent views of the ramp and runway from T3. All movements can be seen.
HOTELS
WHAT TO EXPECT
Xiamen Airlines are based as the name suggests. A good chunk of the fleet can be seen in a day. Shandong also had several flights. Regular flights by the other airlines including some of the lesser seen such as Tianjin and Ok airlines turned up. Not as busy as the bigger places but the different aircraft here meant I made as many as I did in Shenzhen so well worth a stopover.
Be advised if doing a stopover on Xiamen Airlines. In Shenzhen they would not check me in for my onward flight saying I had to collect my bag and check in again at Xiamen. On arrival I was able to stay in the departures area of T3 with good views. I had 11 hours here and didn’t want to risk going collecting my bag if I was then unable to return airside which would have been the case. Check in for my next flight only started 3 hours before so I would have been stuck landside with no views. So after 8 hours airside I finally went to collect my bag which was waiting for me at the baggage office. The staff seemed a little confused but it worked.
Xian – Mar 2018
LANDSIDE
A walkway between the two terminals provides excellent views of the northern runway.
Also two cafes in the terminal just down from the entrance to the Regal hotel have balconies with views of the Southern runway and most China Eastern gates. You can probably see the approach for the northern runway as well. However prices are very high at around £6 for a coffee.
Both runways are used for arrivals and departures. Some stuff will cross over. My preference would be the northern runway as airlines like Air Changan, Tianjin, Capital and China Express use this side.
AIRSIDE
Depending on which terminal you fly from depends which runway and stands you can see. There are views but not as flexible as landside where you can move between runways.
HOTELS
Regal Hotel – There is a connecting walkway to the departures level. 8th and 9th floors are executive. Odd numbers overlooked the northern runway, even numbers the southern runway. The lower number the better. 701 being ideal as its next to a window at the end of the corridor where you can get stuff on the other runway. The southern runway and China Eastern ramp can also be seen from the lifts. The ramps are pretty well it at night and most stuff can still be read. The hotel is L shaped and rooms ending 22 and higher look west and both approaches can be seen. However I expect sbs is required for arrivals on the northerly runway. These rooms have good views of the cross taxiway.
More info from Gary Browne - Apr 2018
Regal 9th floor is executive floor and lounge, the lounge overlooks 05L/23R Even numbered rooms between 922-938 give views of the cross taxiway between the terminals and also both runways approaches if landing on 05. You can see the holding point of 05R only. 05L is out of view due to the shape of hotel.
If you don't want to pay for executive floor the lower floors along this wing doesn't have anything impeding this view. 8th floor rooms are numbered 852-882, even numbers.
If you can get a room to the end of these corridors will maximise the views of 05L approach.
Runway departures are like Chengdu, the northerly departures are from 05L and southerly departures from 05R. The aircraft access these runways (if parked on the opposite terminal) via the cross taxiway where photography is good from the hotel.
If runway 23 in use you would see on the aircraft getting airborne, SBS required.
The best coffee house along from the hotel in landside T3 is the "Cite café" for views as the Regal blocks 05L and this is the best location
If you dont want to pay for a hotel then there are sleeping pods located in the terminal.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A large base for China Eastern, including quite a few of the A319s.
Tianjin Airlines have a base and first thing you can expect more than ten of them.
China Express had 3 CRJ900s nightstop and there was a good selection of the more unusual airlines such as OK, Fuzhou, GX, Ruilli, Joy Air MA60 etc
Tianjin still have a number of aircraft WFU. 2 D328s and an E145 can be seen from the hotel windows and probably from the terminals. The other 11 D328s and 2 E145s are right at the far end of the northern runway. I walked it in 45 mins but half of it was through a construction sight. A taxi can get down there somehow if you can explain it.
Tip – Terracotta Army is about a 1 hour drive away if you want to do some sightseeing.
Zhengzhou - Mar 2018
LANDSIDE
Not sure, stayed airside. Reports suggest the departures ramp may be ok.
AIRSIDE
Excellent views. They land on one runway and depart on the other meaning everything has to taxi past you at some point wherever you are. Get whats on stand then head for whichever end of the terminal where they are arriving.
For Biz and Cargo head towards gate 201.
HOTELS
Didn’t stay here. None seen or known about.
WHAT TO EXPECT
China Southern Henan division is based with a good number of B737s. Out of there new ones, what wasn’t at Urumqi was here. Plus some older ones in the fleet.
West Air have a base along with Suparna with both passenger and cargo flights.
An excellent mix of the more unusual airlines and one of the best airports to visit in terms of variety. In a four hour transit I saw:
6 Lucky B737s
5 West Air A320s
4 Suparnas (B787, 2 B737, B747)
4 Donghai B737s
2 Capital A320s
2 Tianjin A320s
2 Urumqi B737s
2 Loong A320s
2 Sichuan General Aviation MA60s
Tibet A320
Fuzhou B737
Jiangxi B737
3 Gulfstreams and a Legacy
Other Airlines such as Air Guilin, China Express and GX amongst others are also on the timetable
