{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Airport",
  "address": {
    "@type": "PostalAddress",
    "addressCountry": "China",
    "addressLocality": "Zhongwei (Shapotou)"
  },
  "airlines": [
    "Air China",
    "China Southern"
  ],
  "amenityFeature": [
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Domestic to Domestic Connection Time",
      "value": "40 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Domestic to International Connection Time",
      "value": "75 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "International to Domestic Connection Time",
      "value": "75 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "International to International Connection Time",
      "value": "90 minutes"
    },
    {
      "@type": "LocationFeatureSpecification",
      "name": "Interline Connection Time",
      "value": "105 minutes"
    }
  ],
  "city": "Zhongwei (Shapotou)",
  "code": "ZHY",
  "connection_tips": "Zhongwei Shapotou Airport (ZHY) serves as the aviation gateway to China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, positioned near the Yellow River at coordinates 37. 573\u00b0N, 105.154\u00b0E with ICAO designation ZLZW. Northwestern desert weather significantly impacts schedules with seasonal sandstorms, extreme temperatures (-20\u00b0C to +40\u00b0C), and strong winds requiring operational flexibility and advance monitoring. The airport supports tourism to famous Shapotou Scenic Area, business connections for regional development, and government services for this strategic border region. Morning flights offer smoother operations before desert thermals develop, making early departures preferable.\n\nConnections focus exclusively on domestic flights within China's network, as the facility lacks international capabilities requiring international travelers to clear through major hubs like Beijing Capital (PEK), Xi'an Xianyang (XIY), or Shanghai before continuing here. This regional facility connects the historic Silk Road region to China's domestic network, providing access to an area renowned for Shapotou Desert Research Center, ancient Yellow River culture, and Gobi Desert landscapes meeting fertile river agriculture. The facility supports economic development while providing crucial connectivity where ancient Silk Road traditions meet modern Chinese development. Terminal amenities include basic dining and retail appropriate for regional operations, with airline counters providing desert-adapted services.\n\nGround transportation operates via buses, taxis, and pre-arranged vehicles covering approximately 25 kilometers to downtown Zhongwei in 30-45 minutes. The northwestern location creates operational challenges including desert winds generating midday turbulence, sandstorms reducing visibility, and extreme temperature variations requiring specialized procedures. Air China and China Southern operate domestic services linking Zhongwei to Beijing, Xi'an, Guangzhou, and other major cities.",
  "country": "China",
  "flag_url": "https://flagcdn.com/w320/cn.png",
  "flight_search_affiliate_link": "https://book.beatthatflight.com.au/?currency=CNY",
  "frequent_traveler_tip": [
    "Desert winds can create midday turbulence at this airport.",
    "Choose morning flights and prebook a taxi or ride as public transport stops early.",
    "Check your flight status before leaving for the airport.",
    "Allow extra time during peak travel periods at this airport.",
    "Keep important documents easily accessible at this airport."
  ],
  "global_map_link": "https://www.google.com/maps?q=Zhongwei+Shapotou+Airport",
  "google_maps_reviews": {
    "rating": 0.0,
    "recent_reviews": [],
    "total_reviews": 0
  },
  "hotel_affiliate_link": "https://book.beatthatflight.com.au/?currency=CNY",
  "iataCode": "ZHY",
  "icao": "ZLZW",
  "international": false,
  "last_modified": "June 2026",
  "last_updated": "2026-03-30",
  "latitude": 37.573,
  "layover_planner_info": "Basic amenities.",
  "longitude": 105.154,
  "mct_domestic_to_domestic": 40,
  "mct_domestic_to_international": 75,
  "mct_interline": 105,
  "mct_international_to_domestic": 75,
  "mct_international_to_international": 90,
  "missed_connection_help": "Airline counters in terminal.",
  "name": "Zhongwei Shapotou Airport",
  "region": "Asia",
  "related_airports": [
    {
      "code": "XIY",
      "name": "Xi'an Xianyang"
    },
    {
      "code": "INC",
      "name": "Yinchuan Hedong International Airport"
    }
  ],
  "terminal_info": "Zhongwei Shapotou Airport operates a modernized terminal building designed to serve the unique landscape where the Tengger Desert meets the Yellow River in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, originally opened in December 2008 with a 370 million yuan investment and strategically renamed in August 2012 to honor the famous Shapotou tourist zone. The facility, positioned 9 kilometers northwest of Zhongwei city at coordinates 37.573\u00b0N, 105.154\u00b0E, serves as the second civil airport in Ningxia and the 160th in China, featuring a 3,200-meter runway extended in 2018 to accommodate larger aircraft including Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A321 operations supporting increasing tourism to desert attractions.\n\nThe terminal provides specialized services adapted to the challenging desert environment with amenities including authentic Ningxia regional dining options, cafes serving local specialties with runway views, and climate-controlled waiting areas essential for extreme temperature variations ranging from -20\u00b0C in winter to +40\u00b0C in summer. Air China and China Southern operate domestic services connecting to Beijing, Xi'an, Guangzhou, and other major cities, while the facility lacks international capabilities requiring international travelers to transit through major hubs. Desert-specific operational challenges include midday thermal turbulence, seasonal sandstorms affecting visibility, and strong winds requiring specialized ground handling procedures and weather monitoring systems.\n\nStrategically important as the aviation gateway to China's Silk Road heritage region, the airport facilitates access to the Shapotou Desert Research Center, Yellow River cultural sites, and unique ecosystems where ancient irrigation meets modern desert conservation. The terminal's location just 15 kilometers from the famous Shapotou tourist zone makes it essential for desert tourism supporting adventure activities including sand surfing, river rafting, and camel trekking. Ground transportation via taxis and buses provides 20-minute connections to downtown Zhongwei and tourist areas, while the facility supports regional economic development through connections to major Chinese markets and government services for this strategically important border region where traditional Silk Road commerce continues adapting to modern aviation connectivity.",
  "terminal_map_url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhongwei_Shapotou_Airport"
}