Spotting in China. Beijing Capital. Hong Kong & Macau, Shanghai Hongqiao & Pudong International.
Beijing Capital
PEK is a quite a busy airport and all the usual Chinese Domestic carriers operate here. PEK is Air China's main base.
Hotel
Sino Swiss Hotel http://www.sino-swisshotel.com/index1.htm - Prices range from £75-95 per night per room.
From room 942 all arrivals to runway 36L pass the bedroom window. Here is a shot taken from the room to give you an idea of the view.
Movements landing on the middle runway 19, can be seen on approach from the room, but dissapear from view meaning a trip to the fire escape just outside the room to read them off, Movements landing on the far runway being 36R, again can be seen from the room but only just, as these are further over and can only be seen for a few seconds before they disappear from view. The only movements that are possible to read off other than the 36L approach past the window is on the middle runway from the fire escape with a good scope and if its a clear day. From here you can also monitor the far runway alot easier (being 36R, again if its clear) No arrivals can be read off though on approach to this runway. This is where an SBS is a must, The 36L approach is used quite often, however so is the other runways, Air China and other Star Alliance parteners and most of the International traffic tend to mainly use the far runway 36R, The middle runway 19, and 36L tends to be shared out between the other carriers.
Places to eat and shop around the hotel
Across the road from the Sino Swiss hotel is a supermarket where you can stock up on cheap soft drinks and snacks to take back to your room.
Spotting from the Terminal
No probelems encountered while spotting airside in the Domestic Terminal. All gate areas offer excellent views looking across to the International gates and some good photos can be taken of those taxiing out and in to the Domestic Terminals also. Here's a photo taken from the Domestic departure lounge.
Hong Kong
Ideally you need to ask for any rooms on the 8th or 9th floor facing the airport. I've stayed in both 8058 and 9066 and both rooms offered excellent views across one side of the terminal. And offered a full view of one of the runways. All landers or departures from this runway can be read off from the room. The other runway is also very active. The majority of the Freighters use this runway. To see what's parked on the Freight apron or what's parked on the other side of the terminal which is out of view from the room, take the life up to the 11th floor and you can get a good view. Some of the cargo can also be read off with a good scope/bins. An SBS/AirNav will be required to tie-up any movements using the runway out of view from the room. All departures from this runway however can be seen from the room on climb out above the terminal.
Hotel
Regal Hotel. http://www.regalhotel.com/Regal-Airport-Hotel/Main/Hotel-Home/Hotel-Home.aspx - Prices range between £150-£200+ per night, per room.
Here is the view taken from room 9066.
You can also spot from the new skydeck. Which is located above Terminal 2, Its a 10 minute walk from the hotel through Terminal 1 and in to Terminal 2, Once inside T2 get the elevator to the departures level and look for the Aviation Discovery Centre, Once here you have to buy a ticket, You can buy a single entry which costs 27HKD, ( £2.50 ) or you can buy a Day Pass which costs 40HKD ( £4 ), Note... there are no toilet facilities or anywhere you can buy drinks, It is also sign posted before you enter the Skydeck no drink allowed etc. Here is the view taken from the Skydeck.
Some excellent landing photos can be taken from the Skydeck. As seen below.
From the Skydeck you can also monitor the other runway which runs along side the Cargo Terminal. Here is the view to the approach to that runway.
Places to eat around the hotel
The hotel is built on to the Terminal via a walk way. Once inside the terminal there are places to eat and shop.
Macau
Getting to Macau from Hong Kong is very easy and quite cheap. Take the Turojet Ferry from the Hong Kong Ferry Terminal. Services over to Macau are well sign posted in English. The journey takes just over an hour and services run every 15 minutes. See this site for more info . http://www.turbojet.com.hk/eng/schedule/airport.html Once you arrive at Macau's Ferry Terminal. Outside catch the (AP1 bus) which takes you to the Terminal.
Spotting from the Terminal
On the upper level of the terminal is a small food court area which has limited views of those parked on the gates facing the terminal. You can also see some aircraft taxiing. The best views can be found outside the terminal. At each of the terminal building is an approach road. The best views can be found as you walk out of the terminal and turn left. keep walking until you come to the end of the terminal building and you will see aircraft parked up on stands which are out of view from the cafe. I spent nealy 2 hours here and wasn't bothered once while reading off or taking photos.You can monitor all arrivals and departures from either side of the terminal on the approach road. Here is the view available.
Shanghai Hongqiao
SHA is quite a steady airport with a very good variety of Chinese domestic carriers operating. The only International flights was from a JAL B772 and an Asiana A321. These were daily. Shanghai Airlines & China Eastern are the main carrier that operates here.
Hotel
Hong Gang Hotel. http://tours.china.org.cn/H7572-HONG-GANG-HOTEL-Shanghai - Prices range between £35-55 per night per room.
Below is the view from room 814.
Aircraft park directly below your bedroom window and taxi out infront of you, even reading off when it went dark wasn't a problem as the apron well lit up. The windows in the room open very wide too allowing good photos of the ramp etc. as you can see from the above picture. And here is photo taken at night time from the room to give you a better idea.
Places to eat around the hotel
Directly outside the hotel is the airport terminal. Inside you will find a McDonald's and other fast food outlets. There is also a supermarket next to hotel selling cheap cans and snacks.
Shanghai Pudong International.
To reach Pudong from Hongqiao you can catch a coach outside door 4 of the domestic arrivals hall facing McDonalds, the buses run every half hour. Pudong is a much visit if your coming to Shanghai. Alot of the Shanghai Airlines and China Eastern fleet are based over at Hongqiao. Both SHA and PVG have dedicated fleets based at both airports meaning you will need to spend at least two nights at each airport to maximise your fleeting.
Hotel.
Ease Motel http://www.hoteltravelshanghai.com/shanghaihotelinfo2702.php - Prices range between £75-£100 per night per room.
Here is the view from the room 8801.
Movements arriving can be read off from the room once they vacate the runway Those taxiing over to T1 taxi right infront of you on the cross taxiway, which seemed to be the main taxiiway in use. Aircraft parked on T2 also used the cross taxiiway to taxi out for departure meaning all movements can be seen and read off during the day. At night time SBS is essential however those parked on the gates can still be read off. As shown in the picture below.
Places to eat around the hotel
Other than the restaurants inside the hotel, The Ease Hotel is built on to the airport via a walk way. Inside the terminal you will find the usual fast food outlets etc.
Spotting from the Terminals.
Spotting was ok once airside by walking the gate areas.
To see all my photos from Shanghai Hongqiao and Pudong click here . - http://www.worldwidephotos.pm.fotopic.net/c1677390.html , http://www.worldwidephotos.pm.fotopic.net/c1678512.html