The luxury cave hotel in China is the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, built into an abandoned quarry in Songjiang, which opened on 20 November 2018 with 337 rooms, two underwater floors and an artificial waterfall. Early plans in 2013 promised 400 rooms, a $529 million budget and a 2015 opening, so the finished hotel differs from our first write-up.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland (also Shimao Quarry Hotel) |
| Location | Songjiang, Shanghai, about 50 km from the city centre |
| Opened | 20 November 2018 |
| Rooms | 337, with some rooms underwater |
| Structure | 18 storeys, 16 of them below ground level, in a quarry about 88 m deep |
| Investment | Reported US$555 million |
| Room rates | Expected from $500 a night; about $360 in 2020 |
About the cave hotel
Nowadays travellers look for a hotel that stands out from the rest. China answered with a luxury resort built into the rock face of an abandoned, flooded quarry in Songjiang, at the foot of the Tianmashan hills. Its nicknames include the Tianma Pit Hotel and the Pit Pegasus Hotel.
The design shows a waterfall coming from the top of the building into the hollow lake, and it has a glass atrium. Two of the 18 floors are above the quarry’s artificial lake and two are underwater. A glass walkway also leaves the cliff 87 metres above the ground.
At the planning stage the project was described like this:
The resort is based in the Songjiang district, near Shanghai. British design company Atkins is behind the build and intends to make the property as green as possible.
The design was shortlisted for an award at the World Architecture Festival in 2009. The concept was developed by Martin Jochman while working with Atkins, and from 2013 he continued the work through his own studio. Design delays held the project up until 2013, fit-out was carried out in 2017, and the hotel opened in 2018.
Inside the hotel
Instead of the 400 rooms first announced, the hotel has 337 rooms, plus conference space for up to 1,000 people, a grand ballroom, restaurants and cafes. The two underwater floors include guest rooms and a restaurant facing an aquarium five metres deep (the 2013 plan said ten metres).
The project also planned extreme-sports facilities such as bungee jumping and rock climbing. We could not confirm which of these activities are open in 2026, so check with the hotel. A green roof with trees and lawn was part of the early design, and the quarry’s geothermal heat was planned for heating and electricity. We did not verify that these features were built.
Room prices
Rooms were expected to start at a minimum of US$500 a night, but they were priced at around US$360 in 2020. The original plan quoted “upwards of $300”. We found no official 2026 rate on the pages we could open, so check the hotel’s booking page.
Is it worth the trip
It is far from central Shanghai, about 50 kilometres, so plan transport. Our view: the draw is the architecture and the underwater rooms, so book one if the novelty is the point of the trip.
FAQ
What is the cave hotel in China?
The InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland, built in an abandoned quarry in Songjiang, Shanghai. It opened on 20 November 2018.
How many rooms does it have?
337 rooms, including some underwater. Early plans announced 400.
How much does it cost to stay?
Rooms were expected from US$500 a night and were around US$360 in 2020. We could not confirm 2026 rates.
How deep is the hotel?
It has 18 storeys, 16 below ground level, in a quarry about 88 metres deep.
Who designed it?
The concept came from Martin Jochman while working with Atkins, then with his studio JADE+QA. Local architects ECADI handled construction design.
Last updated: October 2026.
