The Shimao Wonderland InterContinental (IHG), the world’s first underground hotel, has opened in Songjiang, around 22 miles (35 km) from Shanghai in the Sheshan Mountain Range.
Built in a 100m (328ft)-deep abandoned quarry, the hotel, which has been in development for a decade, was designed by Studio JADE+QA and the British architectural firm Atkins.
Situated around a manmade lake and amid cascading waterfalls, the 18-storey, 336-guest room structure will be powered by its own geothermal and solar system and will feature an underwater restaurant and aquarium.
The leisure-oriented, 'waveform' venue, which won gold at the MIPIM Asia Conference in 2011, will also have a swimming pool as well as facilities for bungee jumping and rock-climbing.
IHG operates five hotels in the Shanghai area; six further hotels are currently under construction.
