With the May Labour Day holiday just around the corner, if you’re based in Shanghai and haven’t yet booked anything, here’s a staycation idea that’s genuinely unlike anything else in the city — or arguably anywhere.
We visited Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland hotel last year during the Golden Week rush, and while I’ll be honest about the traffic situation, it’s an experience I’m glad we didn’t skip.
For more hotel stay ideas, take a look at our Shanghai guide on where to stay.
The Hotel That Goes Underground
I first heard about this place by accident, watching a BBC series called Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby. There it was — a hotel built not upwards but downwards, carved into an abandoned quarry in Songjiang District. I filed it away as one of those things we’d get around to eventually, and eventually arrived.
The Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland is about an hour from the city centre under normal conditions. We left on the first day of the five-day Labour Day holiday and it took closer to three hours. If you’re planning a visit this year, either leave very early on the first day or wait until day two or three when the initial rush has died down.
What Makes It Special
British architect Martin Jochman designed a structure that descends 88 metres from ground level down to the quarry floor, with the two lowest floors submerged entirely underwater. Everything is inverted: the lobby sits at the top, rooms stack downwards, and the most expensive suites — around ¥20,000 per night — occupy the very bottom, what they cheekily market as the “penthouse” floors.
All guest rooms face the sheer rock face of the quarry, dramatic and slightly surreal in equal measure. Come nightfall, that rock face becomes a canvas for a 20-minute light show involving more than 30 projectors, 18 lasers, and 80 speakers. Watching it from your room balcony feels genuinely special — like having a private box at a very unusual theatre. My son was utterly captivated, which is a reasonable barometer.
There’s also a smaller water and light display in the main lobby running several times daily, though it’s a more modest affair.
The Rooms at the Shanghai Wonderland Hotel
Rooms start at around ¥2,000 per night — steep but not outrageous for what’s on offer. Ours was well appointed: comfortable bed, quality toiletries, complimentary water and soft drinks, reliable wifi, and that balcony. The balcony is really the centrepiece. Morning coffee with the quarry echoing back at you is a genuinely lovely way to start the day.
Where It Falls Short
Once you’ve admired the architecture and watched the light show, there isn’t a great deal to keep you occupied. The hotel leans heavily — perhaps too heavily — on its unique setting, and the supporting facilities haven’t quite kept pace.
The clearest example: there’s a bar on the 14th floor called The Quarry, which sounded ideal for a post-bedtime drink with my wife. We arrived to find it wasn’t operating. We were redirected to the lobby lounge instead, which functions more as a transit waiting area than a proper bar. My suspicion is that occupancy isn’t consistently high enough to run all facilities at full capacity, which is a shame because the bones are there for something really memorable.
One night is absolutely the right amount of time. We felt no urge to extend, and I can’t think of a compelling reason to do so.
Is It Worth It This May Holiday?
Yes, with realistic expectations. Shanghai Wonderland hotel is a genuine spectacle and a proper escape from the city without leaving the municipality. The setting is jaw-dropping, the room is comfortable, and the light show delivers.
But it’s a destination built around a concept, and the concept does most of the heavy lifting. Go for one night, travel smart to avoid the worst of the holiday traffic, and enjoy it for what it is.
Rooms are still available over the holiday period — check availability and current rates on Trip.com before they go.
If you’re looking for more hotel suggestions, we have a full hotel guide.
Intercontinental Shanghai Wonderland Hotel Chen Hua Road No. 5888, Songjiang District, Shanghai 201619 辰花路5888号，松江区，上海