Shiyan Wudangshan Airport

Shi Yan Shi Wu Dang Shan Ji Chang, also known as Shiyan Wudangshan Airport (IATA: WDS), sits 15 kilometres southeast of downtown Shiyan in Hubei province. Opened in 2016, it has a single runway and a compact terminal designed for efficiency. The airport serves two distinct groups: workers from Shiyan's automotive industry and travellers heading to the Wudang Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site. With only a handful of domestic routes, the airport processes passengers quickly — check-in to gate rarely takes more than 20 minutes. But the lack of a restaurant means you need to plan ahead.

Getting There

The airport is 15 kilometres from Shiyan city centre. A taxi costs around 40–50 CNY and takes 30 minutes. Public bus route 202 runs between the airport and Shiyan Railway Station, with departures every 20–30 minutes. The journey takes about 45 minutes. For the Wudang Mountains scenic area, the airport is roughly 30 kilometres east. A taxi to the Wudangshan town or the main entrance costs 60–80 CNY and takes 40 minutes. Private car hire is available from counters inside the arrival hall. Drivers know the airport well, but it helps to have your destination written in Chinese characters.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal is a single-storey structure built for function over style. Check-in counters are all on one side, with security screening directly behind them. Because the airport handles few flights simultaneously, lines are short. Security officers are courteous and efficient. The departures lounge has seating for about 150 people. Vending machines sell bottled water and packaged snacks, but there is no restaurant, café, or food court. If you arrive hungry, buy something in Shiyan before heading to the airport. The toilets are clean and include wheelchair-accessible stalls with grab bars. The entire terminal has level access, and staff can assist passengers who need help moving through the building. The busiest times, based on flight schedules, are Monday at 1 pm, Tuesday at 8 pm, Wednesday at 7 pm, and Thursday at 7 pm — weekends are quieter.

Shi Yan Shi Wu Dang Shan Ji Chang and Shiyan

Shiyan is known as China's Motor City, home to Dongfeng Motor Corporation, one of the country's largest automotive manufacturers. The city grew rapidly from the 1960s as a planned industrial base, and its economy still revolves around vehicle production. But the real draw for visitors lies 30 kilometres east: the Wudang Mountains, a sacred Taoist site with a 1,000-year history. The mountain complex features palaces, temples, and monasteries built along rocky ridges and forested slopes. The most famous, the Golden Hall, sits at 1,612 metres and offers panoramic views. Wudang is also the birthplace of Wudangquan, a style of tai chi and internal martial arts. Practitioners from around the world come here to train at local schools.

Beyond the mountains, Shiyan has a few attractions worth a stop. The Shiyan Museum houses artefacts from the Qin and Han dynasties, including bronze weapons and pottery. The Danjiangkou Reservoir, one of China's largest artificial lakes, is a 40-minute drive north. It supplies water to Beijing via the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The reservoir is scenic, with green hills and clear water, though tourism infrastructure is limited. Most travellers come to Shiyan to access Wudangshan. The best time to visit is spring (April–May) or autumn (September–October), when temperatures are mild and the mountain trails are less crowded. Winter brings cold and occasional snow, which can affect flights.

Practical Information

The airport is not open 24 hours. Based on flight schedules, it operates from approximately 07:00 to 22:00 daily. Plan arrivals and departures within these hours. The official website is not reliably maintained; for flight updates, use a travel app like Ctrip or contact the airline directly. There is no on-site currency exchange — bring enough cash or use ATMs in the city. The wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking, and toilets are clearly marked. If you require assistance, inform your airline when booking.

One concrete piece of advice: Pack food and snacks for your journey. With no restaurant in the terminal, a bag of nuts or a sandwich from town will make your wait comfortable.