They Carved off 5 Mountain Peaks to Build a Mind-Blowing Airport
China has embarked on a colossal project that tames the inaccessible mountains in the west of Hubei province. A total of five mountain peaks were cut and valleys were filled to facilitate access to the untouched Shennongjia forests, which are part of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves Network. The Shennongjia Hongping Airport (HPG), built at an altitude of 2,580 meters above sea level, has opened its doors as a 'harbor in the clouds'.
In the past, reaching the UNESCO-registered Shennongjia Nature Reserves was almost a grueling ordeal.
Travelers wishing to venture to the region from large metropolises like Wuhan had to endure grueling journeys of up to 9 hours on dangerous and winding mountain roads. In an innovative decision aimed at revitalizing regional tourism and the local economy, authorities initiated a massive infrastructure project.
The construction process, which lasted approximately 5 years, was one of the most challenging projects in Chinese civil aviation history, turning into a veritable battle against nature. For the project, which earned the title of the highest airport outside the Tibetan Plateau, engineers literally sliced off the tops of 5 mountains.
The massive amount of excavated material was used to fill the valleys where the runway would be placed. Steep slopes were processed to ensure that the 2,800-meter runway and service buildings could be situated on a flat surface.
Thanks to the reinforced earth walls reaching approximately 50 meters in height, the import/export of materials from the outside was hindered, the carbon footprint was reduced, and a flexible structure in harmony with nature was achieved.
The official opening of the Shennongjia Hongping Airport (HPG) on May 17, 2014, dramatically transformed the region's fate. Flights from major cities like Wuhan, Shanghai, and Chongqing have cut down the grueling 9-hour road journey to under an hour.
Even before the plane touches down on the runway, passengers are given the opportunity to marvel at the breathtaking mountain ranges and sea of clouds through the window. The terminal building, which merges the curved rooflines of traditional Chinese architecture with modern lines, achieves a visual harmony with the pristine nature surrounding it.
Contrary to the colossal and convoluted airports in major cities, it's virtually impossible to get lost in this terminal, which has been designed to be exceptionally compact and functional.
Efficient and Swift Procedures: The terminal, divided into two main sections, departure and arrival, allows for check-in, security, and baggage claim processes to be completed within minutes.
Pre-Flight Comfort: The sole terminal serving domestic flights is equipped with cafes offering local delicacies, gift shops, free WiFi, charging stations, and mother-child rooms.
More than just an engineering marvel that brings humans closer to nature, the airport also presents a visual feast. However, a small caveat for this airport that sits quite literally 'above the clouds' at an altitude of 2,580 meters above sea level: Intense fog and harsh weather conditions can occasionally cause disruptions in the flight schedule.
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