Old Quarry, New Luxury: The Shanghai Wonderland Hotel
Imagine stepping into a 336‑room fortress that sits half a mile below earth’s surface, draped in glass and wrapped around a 290‑foot deep pit. That’s the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, a jaw‑dropping slice of China’s bold architecture scene that opened its doors last Thursday.
From Rock to Royalty
- Engineers had to stop an 88‑metre quarry from turning into a giant bathtub.
- The hotel sits inches from the summit of the quarry wall, while a waterfall cascades along the opposite face.
- Rooms start at 3,394 yuan (~$490) a night, and the whole site includes a theme park.
Underwater Suites and Fish‑tastic Views
Below the water level there’s a floor of suites, but rest assured you won’t be looking straight into the abyss. Instead, oversized fish tanks buffer your window, giving you a serene, aquatic backdrop.
Challenges that Brought a “No‑Precedent” Boost
Chief engineer Chen Xiaoxiang of Shimao Property pointed out that the project was unlike anything they’d seen before. No playbook, no case studies — just pure engineering ingenuity.
- Heavy rains in 2013 flooded half the quarry, threatening a disaster when the hotel was built.
- Engineers dug in an embankment around the pit’s edge and installed a dedicated pump house to keep the water levels in check.
What Makes It “Totally Unique”
- The waterfall remains the crown jewel of the property.
- Guests can also indulge in rock climbing under the splash‑domed sky.
- Its designers claim environmental brilliance: graveyards for quarries, not landfills.
Architectural Ambassadors
British architect Martin Jochman has been shepherding the project a decade and a half ago. He described the concept as “a dream that finally came true” and seemed genuinely thrilled to see a forgotten site reborn.
Beyond the Hotel: China’s Construction Carnival
- State broadcaster CCTV’s HQ is dubbed “The Big Underpants” for its pelvis‑like shape.
- In southwestern China, a 108‑metre waterfall is freshly carved downward next to a new skyscraper.
All this sparks the imagination: when a pit once used for stone was turned into a luxury resort, you already know the only thing that’s deeper than the quarry is the hype surrounding it.
