Literally meaning 'Rainbow Bridge', Honqiao has functioned as Shanghai’s domestic airport since the completion of Pudong International Airport in 1999. Located 13km west of downtown Shanghai in Puxi, Hongqiao is closer to the city than Pudong Airport, and is well-connected to the city's metro network.
There are a number of hotels in the area, mainly catering to business travelers. Hotels such as the Argyle International Airport Hotel are a mere 10 minute drive to Hongqiao Business Center, Minbei Industrial Park and Cao He Jing Hi-Tech Park.
A new runway and second terminal opened in March, 2010. Terminal 2 is four times the size of the original Terminal 1 and now houses 90 percent of all airlines at the airport. A stop on Line 2 of Shanghai’s Metro system has already been opened at the new terminal, and Line 10 is scheduled to connect to both terminals before the end of 2010.
A taxi rank serves the airport from the arrivals level, and a bus stop provides various services to other parts of the city. A minibus route terminates at Jing An Temple station.