Shangqiu Air Base

Shangqiu Air Base (CN-0074) is a military-civil shared facility, and as such, its passenger amenities are notably modest compared to larger commercial airports in China. The terminal's food options are limited but thoughtfully curated to reflect the surrounding Henan province, where hearty, wheat-based cooking has fed generations of travelers along the old Silk Road corridors. Don't arrive hungry expecting a sprawling food court — instead, expect a handful of snack counters and a small canteen-style eatery that gets the job done with warmth and efficiency.

If you have time before your flight, the small airside refreshment area serves a rotating selection of Henan staples, including steaming bowls of hulatang — a thick, peppery soup beloved across the province — alongside hand-pulled noodles dressed simply in sesame paste and chili oil. Freshly baked shaobing flatbreads, sometimes stuffed with scallion and pork, are a reliable grab-and-go option that locals swear by. The staff are genuinely friendly, and the portions are generous by airport standards, which is a welcome surprise at such a compact facility.

Savvy travelers will tell you to eat your main meal in Shangqiu city proper before heading to the base, as the dining options there are far more expansive and authentically local. That said, the airport's tea counter deserves a special mention — it stocks a decent selection of bagged teas from Xinyang, the famous tea-growing region just south of Shangqiu, making it an ideal spot to pick up a warm cup or a small gift tin before boarding. Think of the food here as a genuine taste of provincial China rather than a polished airport dining experience.