Hi guys,
In a few months I'm planning to go to Asia for a while. I would like to do some spotting in China as well. Does anybody here have experience with spotting in China? I doubt if it is as legal as it is here in The Netherlands, but how are local authorities when it comes to taking pictures of planes?
Any help would be appreciated.
pkza
spotting around china
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Hi,
Last year I spent two weeks in China (Beijing, Xi´an, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau) and I have had no serious problems. I was only send away at Xi´an, but that was because of some hotshot there. Other than that, spotting and taking pictures was no problem! My report was in Scramble last year, but I cannot recall which one it was.
If you have any more question, just let me know.
Erwin
Last year I spent two weeks in China (Beijing, Xi´an, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau) and I have had no serious problems. I was only send away at Xi´an, but that was because of some hotshot there. Other than that, spotting and taking pictures was no problem! My report was in Scramble last year, but I cannot recall which one it was.
If you have any more question, just let me know.
Erwin
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Tingy
- Scramble Rookie
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I have been in China last may. Not to much problems. We only have been send away here and there, at Beijng proberly because off return from the president that day. I would just go to China, and do openly what you want. If police shows up, they have a tolk, and answer normaly at what they aske you. The worse thing that will happen is that they send you away. Usely you have a good time, whit staying there.
Advice don`t go to one airport to many days, or you will be bored.
Groet Frans
Advice don`t go to one airport to many days, or you will be bored.
Groet Frans
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jan-willem van lier
/aerlingus.gif)
- Scramble Newbie
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- Joined: 11 May 2005, 15:35
china
Hi
I am going to china in april, and i am looking for some usefull information about spotting and taking pictures at Beijing,xian,nanjing and both shanghai airports.
iss there anyone who has experience with these airports,for taking pictures and can tell me where to go, where to stand, what to watch out for, security, safety etc. etc. reactions in het hollands aub to janwillemvanlier@hotmail.com thanks
I am going to china in april, and i am looking for some usefull information about spotting and taking pictures at Beijing,xian,nanjing and both shanghai airports.
iss there anyone who has experience with these airports,for taking pictures and can tell me where to go, where to stand, what to watch out for, security, safety etc. etc. reactions in het hollands aub to janwillemvanlier@hotmail.com thanks
REQ: China and Vietnam
Hiya,
Together with Biesenbeek I'm planning a trip to China and Vietnam and Thailand next August. In China we will visit for sure the airports of Beijing (2x), Shanghai (2x), Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and probably also Tianjin. We have been at Beijing and Hong Kong before so we know where to go there.
- Does anyone has information about the other airports? Places to watch planes, cheap hotels , security, wrecks & relics in the towns, etc.
- Are there other busy airports in China which are worth visiting. We are thinking about going to Haikou (Hainan) because of the fact Hainan Airlines is based here and Xiamen because of Xiamen Airlines. Anyone experience on this fields or an other airport which might be interesting?
- Is it possible to visit Beijing Nanyuan Airport?
- How about spotting in Vietnam? This country is more or less the cultural part of the trip, but I'm sure we won't leave without giving it a try on the airports of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Anyone for other airports which might be interesting or information which might be usefull?
Many thanks in advance,
Chris
Together with Biesenbeek I'm planning a trip to China and Vietnam and Thailand next August. In China we will visit for sure the airports of Beijing (2x), Shanghai (2x), Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou and probably also Tianjin. We have been at Beijing and Hong Kong before so we know where to go there.
- Does anyone has information about the other airports? Places to watch planes, cheap hotels , security, wrecks & relics in the towns, etc.
- Are there other busy airports in China which are worth visiting. We are thinking about going to Haikou (Hainan) because of the fact Hainan Airlines is based here and Xiamen because of Xiamen Airlines. Anyone experience on this fields or an other airport which might be interesting?
- Is it possible to visit Beijing Nanyuan Airport?
- How about spotting in Vietnam? This country is more or less the cultural part of the trip, but I'm sure we won't leave without giving it a try on the airports of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Anyone for other airports which might be interesting or information which might be usefull?
Many thanks in advance,
Chris
/cathay.gif)
Re:
I went to Hanoi last year, and was amazed by the relatively low number of movements (except for the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh route). Upon departure I was able to do some spotting and because it was dark already, I was not very succesfull. Landside I found a spot by the windows near the toilets on the far leftside of the departure lounge, where you could see a few (but certainly not many). Airside a lot more was to see, certainly from the smoking area, where you have a limited view of the runways.- How about spotting in Vietnam? This country is more or less the cultural part of the trip, but I'm sure we won't leave without giving it a try on the airports of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. Anyone for other airports which might be interesting or information which might be usefull?
There is also a military area at the airport, but I am not sure what and how much there is to see.
There was a lot of security at the airfield, and as everywhere in Vietnam they come about very strict, so I tried not to attract too much attention.
The airport is very far from the city, but there is also a heliport on the eastern side of the river inside the city with mainly a number of Mi-17's. May I suggest that, if booking a room inside the 'old' city, don't book a room near a junction. Most Vietnamese drive a motorbike and have very little traffic rules, so they use their horns most of the time! If your also doing something cultural, go see Halong Bay and take a boat for at least 2 days. Amazing! Don't do a Tam Kok-tour, as the reluctance of salespersons among the route will leave more of an impression than the scenery (shame on them!).
Have fun,
Kees
spotting around china
Hi everyone.
really need some help ,i am off to china in may 2008 starting HKG going onto Guangzhou,Shanghai,Beijing,Shenzhen,returning via HKG.could anyone please let me know were there are good spotting lacations at each of the following above,with locations of photos aswell,have tried many other websites but to no avail,so hopeing that someone there could help me with this request, i last visited china in 2004 and by looking at various photos its changed alot,my email is daza330@hotmail.co.uk many thanks for any help.
darryn,
really need some help ,i am off to china in may 2008 starting HKG going onto Guangzhou,Shanghai,Beijing,Shenzhen,returning via HKG.could anyone please let me know were there are good spotting lacations at each of the following above,with locations of photos aswell,have tried many other websites but to no avail,so hopeing that someone there could help me with this request, i last visited china in 2004 and by looking at various photos its changed alot,my email is daza330@hotmail.co.uk many thanks for any help.
darryn,
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Hans
- Scramble Master
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- Contact:
Hi,
No experience at the other airfields, but Beijing has several spots;
Nr. 1 (or somewhere nearby) is best for photography, but only runway 18R/36L can be seen from here
Nr. 2 (in the corner of the fences) is best for number crunching as everything on 18L/36R can be noted, together with a large portion landing/taking off using 18R/36L.
Situation may change though with the opening of the third runway and third terminal.
Hope this helps, and looking forward to your report.
Regards,
Hans
No experience at the other airfields, but Beijing has several spots;
Nr. 1 (or somewhere nearby) is best for photography, but only runway 18R/36L can be seen from here
Nr. 2 (in the corner of the fences) is best for number crunching as everything on 18L/36R can be noted, together with a large portion landing/taking off using 18R/36L.
Situation may change though with the opening of the third runway and third terminal.
Hope this helps, and looking forward to your report.
Regards,
Hans
Hiya Darryn,
Visited exactly the same fields recently in October so here we go.
Beijing: A good place to stay all day is next to the western rwy. When you have a look on google maps you'll see a village on the left of the airport with one road leading to the rwy. Coordinates:
40° 5'1.15"N 116°34'14.50"E
From here you'll have an excellent view on this rwy. When having good wheather it is possible to read of planes taxiing to or departing from the other rwy. No problems with authorities. In fact, the first time they see you they look a kind of confused; the fifth time they're waving. From the southern corner of the the terminal you'll have a view on the bizjets.
Shanghai Int. Pu Dong: Stayed at the Ramada Airport Hotel. Ask for a room in the right corner of the hotel. This is a suite (you'll have to pay a little more) and from here you'll have a view on the platform and both rwy's. Try to open the window in the sitting room. This worked for us and you can read of all arriving and departing planes, allthough you'll have to be a little quick. Unfortunately when it's dark it's not possible to read of planes anymore (except for the ones parking in front of you).
Shanghai Dom. Hongqiao: Ask a room facing the airport on a high floor at the Hong Gang Hotel and you won't have to miss a plane. Even when it's dark you can read of planes taxiing from or to the rwy.
Also visited some secondary targets in the city.
Shanghai Longhua
(B-8100) Y-5 232008 pres. (SVS)
(B-3406) An.24B 17307105 pres. (SVS)
(674) Il.14 14803052 pres. (SVS)
These planes are preserved on a roundabout near this (closed) field in the centre of town. Also present here was a Chinese blimb, but I forgot the registration.
Shanghai Aviation Enthusiast Center
(JA8048) DC.8-61 46160 pres. (JAL)
652 Il.14 146001102 pres. China AF
Also present is a bunch of military planes and choppers, but I didn't write them down as I'm not into those.
Guangzhou: Difficult field and I wouldn't recommend it (basically CZ but not in that kind of amounts it makes it really worth it, allthough all or their Embraer 145 are based here which you won't see at Beijing or Shanghai. The only place we found was at the westside of the airport close to the two taxiways overthere. There's a grassy area alongside the fence where it's possible to stay. We weren't bothered by authorities allthough we have been spotted by quite a few uniforms. At this point you're in the middle of the two rwy's and when the weather is good you can read of both rwy's with a good bin. Unfortunately we weren't that lucky as it was a kind of hazy. We also visited the old airport in the centre of town. The runway has changed in a road and from this road you can see the following planes:
B-2217 HS.121 Trident 2E 2179 CAAC
B-2216 HS.121 Trident 2E 2177 CAAC
611 Il.14G 10611 CAAC
Y-7 CAAC
8149 An.2 CAAC
Shenzhen: Point is you get most of the Shenzhen Al. here (allthough they are pretty hard to read with their black registration painted on red) but overall it isn't that busy. Stayed at the Sunway Airport Hotel in a room facing the airport. With a good bin you'll be able to read of the planes departing (except for the Shenzhen's, but you get another chance while they're taxiing if you're quick)
Hong Kong: The airport observatory recently opened, located near the terminal. Don't know directions right now, but there's probably someone else who can tell you. Otherwise just ask around in the terminal. Opened from 1000 till 2200 and provided with pretty good free bins. Overlooks the whole airport and both rwy's. Another option is getting a room at the Regal Airport Hotel (pretty expensive, but from here you'll be able to write down the planes using the northern rwy, which they use dedicated for landing or take-off. We have stayed in rooms 1036 and 1040 which are pretty good.
If you need more info just let me know. I'm off to the Superbowl tomorrow but I'm back in 12 days so just drop a line.
rgds,
Chris
Visited exactly the same fields recently in October so here we go.
Beijing: A good place to stay all day is next to the western rwy. When you have a look on google maps you'll see a village on the left of the airport with one road leading to the rwy. Coordinates:
40° 5'1.15"N 116°34'14.50"E
From here you'll have an excellent view on this rwy. When having good wheather it is possible to read of planes taxiing to or departing from the other rwy. No problems with authorities. In fact, the first time they see you they look a kind of confused; the fifth time they're waving. From the southern corner of the the terminal you'll have a view on the bizjets.
Shanghai Int. Pu Dong: Stayed at the Ramada Airport Hotel. Ask for a room in the right corner of the hotel. This is a suite (you'll have to pay a little more) and from here you'll have a view on the platform and both rwy's. Try to open the window in the sitting room. This worked for us and you can read of all arriving and departing planes, allthough you'll have to be a little quick. Unfortunately when it's dark it's not possible to read of planes anymore (except for the ones parking in front of you).
Shanghai Dom. Hongqiao: Ask a room facing the airport on a high floor at the Hong Gang Hotel and you won't have to miss a plane. Even when it's dark you can read of planes taxiing from or to the rwy.
Also visited some secondary targets in the city.
Shanghai Longhua
(B-8100) Y-5 232008 pres. (SVS)
(B-3406) An.24B 17307105 pres. (SVS)
(674) Il.14 14803052 pres. (SVS)
These planes are preserved on a roundabout near this (closed) field in the centre of town. Also present here was a Chinese blimb, but I forgot the registration.
Shanghai Aviation Enthusiast Center
(JA8048) DC.8-61 46160 pres. (JAL)
652 Il.14 146001102 pres. China AF
Also present is a bunch of military planes and choppers, but I didn't write them down as I'm not into those.
Guangzhou: Difficult field and I wouldn't recommend it (basically CZ but not in that kind of amounts it makes it really worth it, allthough all or their Embraer 145 are based here which you won't see at Beijing or Shanghai. The only place we found was at the westside of the airport close to the two taxiways overthere. There's a grassy area alongside the fence where it's possible to stay. We weren't bothered by authorities allthough we have been spotted by quite a few uniforms. At this point you're in the middle of the two rwy's and when the weather is good you can read of both rwy's with a good bin. Unfortunately we weren't that lucky as it was a kind of hazy. We also visited the old airport in the centre of town. The runway has changed in a road and from this road you can see the following planes:
B-2217 HS.121 Trident 2E 2179 CAAC
B-2216 HS.121 Trident 2E 2177 CAAC
611 Il.14G 10611 CAAC
Y-7 CAAC
8149 An.2 CAAC
Shenzhen: Point is you get most of the Shenzhen Al. here (allthough they are pretty hard to read with their black registration painted on red) but overall it isn't that busy. Stayed at the Sunway Airport Hotel in a room facing the airport. With a good bin you'll be able to read of the planes departing (except for the Shenzhen's, but you get another chance while they're taxiing if you're quick)
Hong Kong: The airport observatory recently opened, located near the terminal. Don't know directions right now, but there's probably someone else who can tell you. Otherwise just ask around in the terminal. Opened from 1000 till 2200 and provided with pretty good free bins. Overlooks the whole airport and both rwy's. Another option is getting a room at the Regal Airport Hotel (pretty expensive, but from here you'll be able to write down the planes using the northern rwy, which they use dedicated for landing or take-off. We have stayed in rooms 1036 and 1040 which are pretty good.
If you need more info just let me know. I'm off to the Superbowl tomorrow but I'm back in 12 days so just drop a line.
rgds,
Chris
-
Polleke_NL
- Scramble Addict
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- Type of spotter: photography (military only)
- Subscriber Scramble: Ruud van Haaster
- Location: EHAM
- Contact:
I'm most likely off for Shanghai in 3 weeks or so so can do with some more info on that area.
How about this Shanghai Aviation Enthusiast Center, where is it kocated and does it have a website?
What the story on Shanghai Dachang Airbase?
And, even more important, is it allowed to spot and to take photographs at those locations as they would be my first Chinese catch (and, FYI, I'm only "into" military birds)
How about this Shanghai Aviation Enthusiast Center, where is it kocated and does it have a website?
What the story on Shanghai Dachang Airbase?
And, even more important, is it allowed to spot and to take photographs at those locations as they would be my first Chinese catch (and, FYI, I'm only "into" military birds)
Ruud
-
biesenbeek
- Scramble Junior
- Posts: 231
- Joined: 21 Jun 2004, 10:38
- Location: Amsterdam
Shanghai mil
Hela Ruud et all,
Shanghai Aviation Museum is at:
31° 8'18.36"N 121°24'5.94"E
have not found a website. The place in near the Jinjiang Amusement center for reference with the cabdriver. I just showed our driver a picture of the DC-8, that worked as well
Three more are on display near the old Longhua airport:
31°10'22.56"N 121°27'9.58"E
Below an impossible photolink from a-net, so you can see if you fancy the c/s..
Taking pictures is no problem on the museum locations or around airports in general around China it seems. As many Chinsese have enough time on their hands to hang around airports all day, you will only stand out as being a foreigner ("WELCOME TO CHINA !!!"). Any unusual equipement (pole, huge camera) will also attract their attention, but mostly just out of curiousity. The authorities will most likely not border you. A simple explanation what you are doing can be helpfull: "kan feji" is chinese for watching airplanes
HOWEVER: this is only true for CIVIL airfields. I have not tried aircraft spotting at ANY military active airbase, but would not be surprised if you get a less warm welcome hunting down active military planes...
Cheers,
Rene
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0 ... photo_nr=7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Shanghai Aviation Museum is at:
31° 8'18.36"N 121°24'5.94"E
have not found a website. The place in near the Jinjiang Amusement center for reference with the cabdriver. I just showed our driver a picture of the DC-8, that worked as well
Three more are on display near the old Longhua airport:
31°10'22.56"N 121°27'9.58"E
Below an impossible photolink from a-net, so you can see if you fancy the c/s..
Taking pictures is no problem on the museum locations or around airports in general around China it seems. As many Chinsese have enough time on their hands to hang around airports all day, you will only stand out as being a foreigner ("WELCOME TO CHINA !!!"). Any unusual equipement (pole, huge camera) will also attract their attention, but mostly just out of curiousity. The authorities will most likely not border you. A simple explanation what you are doing can be helpfull: "kan feji" is chinese for watching airplanes
HOWEVER: this is only true for CIVIL airfields. I have not tried aircraft spotting at ANY military active airbase, but would not be surprised if you get a less warm welcome hunting down active military planes...
Cheers,
Rene
http://www.airliners.net/open.file?id=0 ... photo_nr=7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
