Nantong Xingdong International Airport

Nantong Xingdong Airport sits 13 kilometres northeast of Nantong's city centre, serving a prefecture-level city on the north bank of the Yangtze River opposite Shanghai. The airport opened in 1993 and now handles around 3 million passengers annually, all on domestic flights to major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Chengdu. A single terminal handles arrivals and departures, with a modern but compact footprint that makes navigating straightforward. The airport is not open 24 hours; it typically closes after the last flight, around 10 pm. Its location on the river delta means fog can occasionally delay flights in winter, though cancellations are rare.

Getting There

Nantong Xingdong Airport is connected to the city centre by several means. Taxis wait outside the arrivals hall and charge a flat rate of around 50–60 RMB to downtown, a journey of about 30 minutes depending on traffic. The airport shuttle bus (line 1) runs from the terminal to the Haohong Hotel near the city centre, departing every 30 minutes between 7 am and 7 pm, with a fare of 10 RMB. For those driving, the airport is accessible via the G15 and S335 expressways; parking costs 5 RMB per hour (up to 30 RMB per day). Nantong is also linked to Shanghai by the Sutong Bridge and a ferry service, but the airport itself offers no direct international flights—most foreign travellers connect via Shanghai Pudong (PVG) or Hongqiao (SHA), which are roughly 2.5 hours away by bus and ferry.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a two-storey building with departures on the upper level and arrivals on the ground level. Check-in counters are located near the main entrance, and security screening is swift outside peak hours. The busiest times are Monday at noon, Tuesday at 6 pm, Wednesday at 2 pm, and Thursday at 4 pm, when queues may build—plan to arrive 90 minutes before departure. The departure lounge offers a small selection of shops (including a convenience store and a local snack vendor) and a quiet seating area with charging ports. Facilities confirmed available: wheelchair-accessible entrance, accessible car park, changing table in the family restroom, baggage storage (located near the check-in zone, open 7 am–9 pm, 20 RMB per piece for up to 6 hours), wheelchair-accessible toilets, and standard toilets. The atmosphere is functional rather than luxurious—clean, but with limited food options beyond pre-packaged snacks. Free Wi-Fi is available (connect via SMS verification).

Nantong Xingdong Airport and Nantong

Nantong itself is a city of around 7 million people, known for its textile industry and its historical role as one of the first treaty ports opened to foreign trade in the 19th century. The city lies on the northern bank of the Yangtze, directly across from Shanghai, yet it maintains a slower pace and a distinct identity. Travellers arriving at Xingdong Airport are often heading to business meetings in the city's industrial parks—textiles, shipbuilding, and electronics—but there is also a growing tourist scene. The Haohe River, a moat that once encircled the old city, now forms a loop of canals, pagodas, and museums; a boat ride takes about an hour and passes through Ming-dynasty gates. Wolf Hill (Langshan), the city's highest point, offers temples and a panoramic view of the Yangtze—it is a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport. Nantong is also the birthplace of several notable Chinese scholars and educators, including Zhang Jian, a late-Qing dynasty industrialist who founded Nantong’s first modern school and museum. The city’s cuisine features seafood from the river and the coast, with local specialties like steamed hairy crab and braised eel. For many travellers, Nantong serves as a quieter alternative to Shanghai’s bustle, reachable by a one-hour ferry ride or two-hour drive. The airport thus functions as a convenient entry point for business travellers and a practical choice for those who want to explore Jiangsu’s less-visited corners. Unlike larger Chinese hubs, Xingdong avoids the chaos of endless corridors—passengers often find themselves at the gate within 10 minutes of entering the building.

Practical Information

The airport is open daily from approximately 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, though hours vary based on flight schedules. Confirmed contact details: website http://www.ntcaac.com/, phone +86 513 8656 0050. For baggage storage, use the facility near the check-in area; it is cheapest for short-term storage. If you need a wheelchair, request it at the information desk near the entrance. One concrete piece of advice: if you have a layover of more than three hours, use the baggage storage (20 RMB) and take a taxi to the Haohe River area—it is a 15-minute ride, and you can walk along the canal and have a quick meal before returning to the airport. Security is efficient, but note that liquids over 100 ml are not allowed through the checkpoint.