Shashi

Shashi Airport (Jingzhou Shashi Airport) serves as the modern gateway to one of China's most ancient cities, Jingzhou. Opened in 2021, it has become a symbol of a new era for the region, harmoniously blending rich historical heritage with the dynamics of the modern world. For travellers, this is the starting point for exploring legendary sites described in the epic "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," and a convenient transport hub that significantly simplifies travel logistics to Hubei Province.

The main advantage of Shashi Airport is its novelty and compactness. Since the terminal was built quite recently, it features well-thought-out navigation, cleanliness, and modern facilities. There are no huge crowds or long queues here, making all pre-flight formalities quick and comfortable. Passengers have access to cosy waiting lounges, several cafés, and shops selling essentials and souvenirs.

The airport serves exclusively domestic flights, connecting Jingzhou with the country's largest cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. This makes it an ideal choice for tourists travelling across China. You can reach the city centre by special shuttle buses or by taxi; the journey usually takes no more than 30-40 minutes.

For travellers heading to Jingzhou, it is important to know that the main commercial airport serving the city is the new Jingzhou Tendi Airport with the IATA code: JHZ. It has replaced the old Shashi Airport (SHS). Below are the contact details for the current operating airport.

• Official Website: Currently, the airport does not have a separate official website. Up-to-date information on flights and services can be found on the Hubei Airport Group portal: www.hbia.cn.
• Information Desk Phone: +86 716 888 8666. Please note that communication will likely be in Chinese.
• Airport Address: Cenhe Town, Shashi District, Jingzhou, Hubei, China.
• Email: An official email address for general inquiries is not published. It is recommended to use the phone for communication.
• Social Media: You can try finding the airport's pages on popular Chinese social networks (e.g., Weibo) by searching its name in Chinese: 荆州沙市机场.
• Lost Luggage Information: In case of lost or damaged baggage, you must first contact the Lost & Found service of your airline at the arrival airport. If this is not possible, use the airport information desk phone for further instructions.
• Passenger Support Service: For all general questions related to your stay at the airport, please contact the main information desk number.

Shashi Airport (Jingzhou Shashi Airport), serving the city of Jingzhou, is located approximately 30 kilometres from the city centre. As this is a relatively new transport hub, the infrastructure around it continues to develop, but convenient transfer options are already available for travellers.

The most comfortable way to reach the terminal is by taxi. A trip from the centre of Jingzhou usually takes about 30–40 minutes depending on traffic. The fare by meter will be approximately 60–90 Yuan. Tourists are advised to have the airport name written in Chinese characters to show the driver, as not all taxi drivers speak English.

For those who prefer public transport, special Airport Shuttle Buses are available. Routes generally connect the airport with key points in the city, such as Jingzhou Railway Station and the main bus terminal. The travel time by bus is about 50–60 minutes, and the ticket price is quite reasonable — around 15–20 Yuan. Please note that the metro in Jingzhou is currently not connected to the airport.

If you plan to rent a car, please note that a local driving licence is required to drive in China (international permits are often not accepted directly without a temporary permit). The airport provides a spacious car park for private vehicles. Parking rates vary: short-term parking is inexpensive, but the price increases if the car is left for a day or more.

For travellers planning a complex itinerary, it is useful to know about alternative air hubs nearby. Tourists often fly into larger hubs and then travel to Jingzhou by high-speed train. The nearest option is Yichang Sanxia Airport, located approximately 105 km away. Another popular choice remains Wuhan Tianhe International Airport — a major transport hub 177 km from the city, offering many international flights. Other options include Changde Airport and Xiangyang Airport, located at distances of 170 and 207 km respectively.

For lovers of scenic routes, flights are available via Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (234 km), from where you can continue your journey to the famous Avatar mountains.

Tip: Before leaving, always check the current schedule of shuttle buses, as it may change depending on the season and flight arrival times. If you have an early departure or late arrival, pre-booking a transfer through your hotel will be the most reliable solution.

Shashi Airport (SHS) represents a modern regional air hub characterized by compactness and smart logistics. Unlike vast metropolises, travellers here do not have to cover long distances: the airport features one main passenger terminal. This makes navigation intuitively clear and eliminates the risk of getting lost while looking for the right gate.

The structure of the terminal is organised in a classic manner for civil aviation. The space is clearly zoned into departure and arrival sectors. The Check-in Zone is located in the main hall immediately after entering the building. Here you will find airline counters, self-service kiosks, and information boards. The Arrival Zone and baggage claim belts are positioned so that passengers can exit to taxi and bus stops as quickly as possible, bypassing unnecessary corridors.

Since the airport consists of a single terminal, complex transfers and internal shuttles are absent here. The entire path from the entrance to the boarding gate can be walked in a short time. Navigation inside the building is duplicated in English, which significantly eases orientation for international tourists. The architecture of the building is executed in a modern style, with high ceilings and panoramic glazing providing plenty of natural light.

While waiting for a flight, travellers can utilize a basic set of services. The terminal includes comfortable waiting lounges, small cafés serving local and Asian cuisine, as well as shops with souvenirs and essentials. A baby care room and electronic device charging points are also available.

Regarding the time required for formalities, Shashi Airport is known for its efficiency. However, considering the strict aviation security rules in China, it is recommended to arrive at the airport 1.5–2 hours before departure time. Check-in usually closes 30–40 minutes before the flight departs. The security screening procedure here is thorough, but thanks to modern equipment, queues move quite quickly.

Navigation Recommendation: Upon entering the terminal, immediately check the electronic boards to find the check-in counter number for your flight. If you are travelling with oversized luggage or require special assistance, approach the staff at the information desk in the centre of the hall — they are generally ready to help and direct you.

The history of aviation in the city of Jingzhou is a tale of two different airports symbolizing two eras in the region's development. It is important to distinguish between the historic Shashi Airfield (SHS), which has ceased operations, and the modern Jingzhou Tendi International Airport (JHZ), opened in 2021.

The first airport, known as Shashi (SHS), was founded back in 1929 and originally served as a military airfield. For decades, it played an important role in air communication, especially in the 1930s and 40s. After a long hiatus, in 1985, a decision was made to reconstruct it for civil needs. Official commercial flights from the old Shashi Airport began in 1987, linking the city with other major centres of China. However, over time, its location within the city limits and the limited capabilities of the runway became a serious obstacle to passenger growth and accommodating modern aircraft.

A new chapter in Jingzhou's aviation history began with the construction of a modern air hub. On January 30, 2021, the grand opening of the new Jingzhou Tendi Airport (JHZ) took place, fully replacing the old airfield. This massive project, implemented from 2018 to 2021, allowed the air gates to be moved outside the city. The new airport received a runway 2,600 metres long and a modern terminal, enabling it to accept larger aircraft and significantly increase capacity.

Thus, the history of the city's airports is an example of planned infrastructure development. The closure of the old Shashi Airport (SHS) and the opening of the new Jingzhou Tendi (JHZ) were not just modernization, but a strategic step opening new perspectives for the region in tourism, logistics, and economic cooperation.

Although Shashi Airport is a regional hub, passengers have access to a full range of modern services necessary for a comfortable wait. The terminal infrastructure is designed taking into account the latest standards, so travellers can count on convenience and functionality.

Dining and Shopping at the airport are primarily oriented towards introducing local culture. In the departure zone, there are small cafés and restaurants where you can try traditional Chinese cuisine, including the famous noodles and snacks of Hubei Province. For those in a hurry, fast food outlets and coffee shops are available. The retail area houses shops offering souvenirs, tea, local delicacies in gift packaging, as well as convenience stores with newspapers, drinks, and travel goods.

For business people and those who value privacy, VIP lounges and premium comfort halls are provided. Here you can relax in soft armchairs, read the latest press, and enjoy light snacks. If you need to work, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal. Please note: connecting to the network often requires authorization via SMS to a Chinese mobile phone number. Charging stations and sockets (usually universal or with USB ports) are installed in the waiting halls to charge gadgets.

The airport is well-equipped for passengers with children. The terminal has specially equipped mother and child rooms where you can change and feed a baby in a quiet environment. Also, following Chinese hospitality standards, dispensers with free hot and cold drinking water are installed in the waiting halls, which is convenient for preparing baby food or tea.

Special attention is paid to passengers with reduced mobility. The airport building fully complies with barrier-free environment requirements: there are ramps, lifts, specially equipped restrooms, and designated spaces in the waiting area. If necessary, airport staff provide an escort service from the check-in counter to boarding the aircraft (it is recommended to book this in advance through the airline).

Regarding financial services, ATMs are installed in the terminal, but full-service currency exchange points may have limited hours or be absent. Tourists are strongly advised to withdraw cash Yuan in advance or use ATMs to withdraw funds from international cards.

Hotels and Accommodation: There is no transit hotel directly on the airport grounds, as the terminal is not designed for long layovers. However, thanks to its proximity to the city, passengers can quickly reach hotels in the centre of Jingzhou or the Shashi district. The nearest accommodation options are a 20–30 minute taxi ride away.

For first aid, a medical centre operates in the building, which you can visit if you feel unwell. Navigation to it, as well as to other services, is clearly marked on signs.

The gastronomic map of Shashi Airport (SHS) corresponds to its status as a regional transport hub: you will not find endless rows of food courts typical of capital hubs here, but you certainly won't go hungry. Since the airport has one terminal, all food outlets are located compactly, allowing for a quick snack before departure without long searches.

The main focus of the local establishments' menus is on Chinese cuisine. Travellers should take the opportunity to try the gastronomic hits of Hubei Province. Primarily, this includes various variations of noodles, including the famous "hot dry noodles" (Reganmian) with sesame paste or spicy beef soups. This is an excellent option for a hearty and hot lunch that will give you energy before your journey. Also, set meals with rice and stewed meat, which are prepared quite quickly, are often found on the menu.

Establishments are distributed between the public and sterile zones:

• Check-in Zone (Landside): Here, before passing security, more spacious cafés are usually located where you can have a quiet lunch with people seeing you off. This is the best place for a full meal.
• Departure Zone (Airside): After passing control, the choice is limited to small cafeterias and kiosks. Here it is most convenient to grab a quick snack: sandwiches, pastries, tea, or coffee.

For passengers with special dietary needs (vegetarians, vegans, or people following a gluten-free diet), the choice may be limited. Traditional Chinese dishes often use meat broths or soy sauce (containing gluten).
Tip: The safest option would be to buy packaged snacks, nuts, or fruits in airport shops. You can also order plain boiled rice with vegetables, confirming the absence of meat sauces.

Finding Halal products can be challenging unless the terminal has a specialized noodle shop (often recognizable by green signage and Lanzhou beef dishes), so it is recommended to carefully study the ingredients or stick to vegetarian snacks.

Prices at Shashi Airport are slightly higher than average in Jingzhou city but remain affordable compared to major international airports. A full lunch with noodles and a drink will cost approximately 40–60 Yuan. A cup of coffee or tea will cost around 25–35 Yuan.

Opening hours of establishments are strictly tied to the flight schedule. Cafés open about an hour and a half before the first departure and close after the last flight leaves. There are no 24-hour restaurants in the terminal.

Budget travellers should remember a universally available option in Chinese airports: dispensers with free boiling water. Many passengers prefer to bring their own or buy instant noodles at the airport shop, brewing them right in the waiting hall — this is the most economical and popular way to snack in China.

To ensure your journey from Jingzhou Tendi Airport (JHZ), serving the city of Jingzhou, goes smoothly and pleasantly, follow a few useful tips. Since the airport specializes in domestic flights within China, it is worth arriving in advance, but without excessive buffer time — allow about 1.5-2 hours before departure. This time will be quite sufficient to pass all pre-flight formalities. To speed up the process, use online check-in, which most airlines open 24 hours before the flight departs.

Passing security screening will be faster if you prepare in advance. Remember that large electronics, such as laptops and tablets, must be removed from hand luggage and presented separately. Liquids are allowed in containers of no more than 100 ml each, and all must be packed in a single transparent resealable bag. Particular attention in Chinese airports is paid to portable batteries (power banks): they can be carried only in hand luggage, and the factory marking indicating the capacity must be clearly visible on the device casing.

When choosing a seat on the plane, think about your preferences. A window seat will allow you to enjoy the views during takeoff and landing, while an aisle seat will provide more legroom and the ability to stand up without disturbing neighbours. Keep in mind that airlines often charge an additional fee for selecting a specific seat.

If you have a connecting flight, immediately upon arrival in the transit zone, find the number of your next boarding gate on the information board. In case of a flight delay or cancellation, remain calm and contact your airline representative at the information desk. Depending on the length of the wait, you may be provided with drinks or meals.

A few tips for saving money: bring an empty reusable water bottle with you. After passing security control, you can fill it with drinking water at special fountains available in the "secure zone". This will allow you to avoid spending money on overpriced water before departure. Additionally, familiarize yourself with your airline's baggage allowance in advance to avoid unexpected fees for excess weight.