Shimao Wonderland Intercontinental, a five-star hotel built in an abandoned quarry pit at the foot of Tianma Hill in Songjiang is taking shape and will be put to use in late 2017.
It will be the world's first subterranean luxury hotel, which will have 370 guest rooms.
Shanghai Shimao Property Group launched the project in Sept. 2007 and the National Geographic is doing a documentary on the project.
The hotel will have two floors on the ground and 19 floors underground, built against the rocky side of the 87-meter-deep pit. The hotel lobby, conference halls, restaurants, recreational and exhibition facilities will be on the ground, but some dining and drinking outlets will be under water.
Shimao Property acquired the quarry in 2006 to develop a theme park and the hotel with water as its theme. It will have a glass atrium to connect all the floors and a cascading stream flowing over the edge of the cliff. The hotel's curved facade will offer a panoramic view of the resort.
Shimao Wonderland is inside the Sheshan National Tourism Resort. It is the biggest tourism development in suburban Shanghai.
Credit: http://english.songjiang.gov.cn/