The InterContinental Shanghai Lingang was converted from the Crowne Plaza Shanghai Dishui Lake. It remains situated on a standalone island in Shanghai’s largest artificial lake—Dishui Lake. The hotel consists of five four-story, petal-shaped buildings, with the lobby located at the central junction where the five petals connect.
Having stayed at the original Crowne Plaza multiple times, I can say that after this comprehensive upgrade, the entire interior has been completely renovated. There is virtually no trace of the former Crowne Plaza inside, although the exterior appearance of the buildings remains unchanged.
The overall decor style of the rooms is very modern and definitely looks much more upscale than the previous Crowne Plaza. Due to the irregular shape of each building, every room has a rather unique layout—not a single one is perfectly rectangular. My room type was a Premium Balcony Room; although it claims to be 58 square meters, it doesn’t feel that spacious at all. A corner sofa area and a standalone bathtub have been squeezed in, and the TV is designed to be retractable, but it seems to be broken and won’t lower. There is indeed a balcony outside the window, and it takes up quite a bit of space. If you’re visiting during a season when the weather isn’t particularly pleasant, such a large balcony feels somewhat wasted.
My room offers a slight glimpse of the lake view from the window, but it primarily overlooks the swimming pool. You cannot see the fireworks from this angle; only the few rooms appearing on the left side of the photo have a view of the fireworks.
The hotel’s public areas are very attractive—spacious, bright, and clean.
The elevator design looks very premium.
I really love the lighting fixture at the front desk.
However, there are some columns in the public areas that don’t seem to be handled very well, making it easy to bump your head or trip over them.
The hotel gym is quite good and not very crowded. Although the equipment doesn’t allow for leg workouts, it is sufficient for chest, back, and cardio exercises.
The Dishui Lake fireworks show is one of Shanghai’s most popular free events. The theme for 2026 is “Lingang Moment: Ring of Time.” It starts punctually at 8:00 PM every Saturday, though it may be suspended due to special events or other factors, with additional shows added during holidays. For specific schedules, please follow the “hi Lingang” WeChat official account.
The fireworks are launched from the water droplet sculpture in the exact center of Dishui Lake. Since the hotel is located on an island extending into the lake, it is closer to the launch site than other locations, making it arguably the best spot for viewing the fireworks. Consequently, traffic control is implemented every Saturday, and you must present your booking confirmation or room key card to drive onto the island. Access to the area next to the hotel pool also requires a temporary room key card check. It is advisable to arrive a bit early to secure a favorable viewing spot. However, as this area is along the lakeside, please pay close attention to safety, and be aware that there are many mosquitoes.
The entire performance lasts approximately 20 minutes. The first 10 minutes feature a drone show. The drone formations are directional and designed to be viewed from all four sides of Dishui Lake, so for about three-quarters of the time, they aren’t facing the right direction from the hotel’s perspective. Of course, for about one-quarter of the time—covering roughly 3 to 4 patterns—they face directly toward the hotel. I’ve heard the theme changes monthly, and while I’m not sure what theme I watched, it honestly felt a bit too corporate…
The remaining 10 minutes consist of the fireworks display, which faces almost directly toward the hotel and is absolutely beautiful. Without a tripod for long-exposure photography, capturing fireworks is quite difficult, so I recommend simply enjoying the view with your own eyes.
There aren’t too many attractions around Dishui Lake itself; basically, there’s the China Maritime Museum and the Shanghai Astronomy Museum. Alternatively, you can visit Nanhui Zui to see the sea, or grab a coffee at Duoyun Shuyuan or Yichi Garden. It’s still a great way to spend a weekend.
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