Lily Airlines Fine Dining

Crew add an authentic touch

The reasons weren't clear right away, leaving the residents of Wuhan, China to wonder why a rusting, derelict Boeing 737 appeared on a busy street in their city.

Among the rumours in the city of 11 million, capital of the Hubei Province in central China, were an open-to-the-public flight simulator, or a restaurant (what, no hotel or nightclub rumours?).

It turns out the restaurant rumour was true, and the grounded airliner has opened for business.

Guests 'board' the Lily Airways Restaurant via a gangway and are served by staff sporting airline-themed uniforms. Rest assured, no standard airline fare is served onboard: the fine-dining menu is prepared by western chefs.

The aircraft was acquired from bankrupt Batavia Air. an Indonesian company, by a Chinese business man, Li Yang , for 35 million Yuan. The plane was partly dismantled, towed and reassembled on-site.

The bonus? There is actually a flight simulator in the cockpit, for those who are willing to fork out the extra cash.


For more photos, check out these news pieces:
Now that’s going to cause some serious traffic jams! A passenger PLANE appears in the middle of busy road in China - Daily Mail
First look inside China’s £4 million fine-dining restaurant converted from a retired Boeing 737 - Jet Line Marvel
This Restaurant Is Inside a Boeing 737 - Food and Wine
LOOK: Restaurant opens inside a Boeing 737 in downtown Wuhan - Shanghaist
Photos: China Unveils Its First Restaurant Inside an Airplane - China Aviation Daily
Airplane restaurant opens in Wuhan - China Daily


Related resources
Review: The Airplane Restaurant, Colorado Springs - One Mile at a Time
The Burning Man 747 - IHateTaxis Blog
Awe-inspiring homes and buildings made out of old airplanes - Gizmodo
Top 10 Ways To Recycle Airplanes - The Very Best Top 10
10 Odd Uses for Airplanes - Wacky Archives
Fine Dining In a Converted DC-10. Plus - Ask The Pilot


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Up, up and away with Uber in China

Now you can call Uber to take a balloon ride over Shanghai

Uber in China is breaking any moulds it has created for itself elsewhere. Now 60 cities strong, Uber is stepping things up to compete with its biggest rival, Didi Chuxing.

Since being blocked from China's popular WeChat (an even bigger deal than Facebook here in the West), Uber has had to get creative. As "all in one" apps are how the market works in China, Uber has responded by reinventing its ride-hailing app to be so much more, including:

• UberLIFE - connecting users to nearby sporting and entertainment
• Uber + Travel - unique destination-specific transportation options
• UberPASS - multi-city ride pass
• Uber Boat - the next generation of boat-hailing (already in Istanbul)
• Uber Balloon - yup, you guessed it, hot air balloon rides!

This isn't the first time Uber has gotten creative (think the Uber service for helicopters in New York City). We doubt it will be the last.


Related resources
You Can Get Hot Air Balloon Rides Through Uber Now</> - Time
Uber positions its China app as more than a ride-hailing service - TechCrunch
Hey Uber, Welcome To China - TechCrunch
Uber provides the taxi industry a good kick in the pants - IHateTaxis
Shanghai Pudong International Airport Airport (PVG) transportation guide
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport Airport (SHA) transportation guide
Get cooking on your layover: Asia

Layover Ideas: Hong Kong

Hong Kong's impressive skyline

Have a layover coming up in Hong Kong? Wondering what you could do with your time? Here's a little inspiration.

We've gathered the following resources - tips, stories and layover ideas - to help you get the most out of your time here... [read more].

Want more layover ideas?
• Read more stories on the LayoverIdeas Blog • Explore cities worldwide on LayoverIdeas.com

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Airport arrival advice

New Airport: Kunming Changshui

Changshui is a stunning beacon in the night. Image: SINA

Kunming Changshui International Airport (IATA: KMG, ICAO: ZPPP) is a brand new airport in Kunming, the capital of capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. Kunming Changshui. The Changshui Airport officially came into service on June 28, 2012.

Kunming Changshui Airport from the roof!

Our Kunming Changshui Airport Guide provides information on how to get to / from the airport. Most exciting is the sleek new light rail line that also opened on the same day. We have also rounded up information on other ground transportation options, such as taxis, shuttles and buses.

Kunming Changshui Airport's sleek interior

If you visit Kunming and have feedback on our Kunming Changshui Airport guide, or learn anything different about ground transportation at Changshui Airport, please let us know. We rely on travelers the world over to help keep our airport ground transportation guides up to date!

IHateTaxis.com Kunming Changshui Airport Ground Transportation Guide

All images in this post are copyright their owners. 

Here are some links to stories and pictures about the airport and its opening:

• Photos: New Kunming Airport's First Day
• Riding Into Kunming's Future