The China Eastern Lounge V36 at Shanghai Pudong Airport is conveniently located just after the security checkpoint. However, finding the entrance can require a little backtracking, as you may need to look for the correct escalator that takes you up to the lounge level. The entrance itself is well signposted, making it easy to identify once you are in the right area.
The lounge is very large and spread across two levels, with both floors offering almost identical facilities and amenities. Interestingly, the experience can vary depending on which level you choose. During my visit, the lower level was noticeably more crowded, while the upper level was almost completely empty, offering a much more peaceful and comfortable atmosphere. Since the facilities are nearly the same on both floors, heading upstairs is definitely the better choice if you are looking for more space and a quieter place to relax before your flight.
We visited the lounge in the early afternoon and ended up spending most of our time on the lower level. While both floors offer very similar facilities and layout, the lower level was noticeably busier, whereas the upper floor felt much quieter and more spacious. I also made use of the shower facilities during my visit, and there was no waiting time at all. The process was quite straightforward — the lounge attendant held on to my boarding pass and provided access to the shower room along with a set of basic amenities, including shaving and dental kits. It was an efficient and smooth experience, making it easy to freshen up before the next flight.
The food in the lounge was a real highlight and, overall, I absolutely loved the selection on offer. One of the standout features was the live noodle station, which added a nice interactive touch to the dining experience. It was great to be able to choose between soupy noodles or a dry noodle option, depending on your preference. The freshness and made-to-order aspect really elevated the food compared to a standard buffet, and it was easily the most memorable part of the lounge catering.
Absolutely yummy 🙂
Alongside the live cooking station, the lounge also offered a selection of bread and rolls with a toaster, as well as a simple but fresh salad bar. There were also cut fruits available, which made for a light and refreshing option. The honeydew melon in particular stood out, as it was exceptionally fresh, sweet, and easily one of the nicest parts of the cold food selection.
In addition to the noodle station, the lounge also served a range of warm buffet dishes, including options like kung pao chicken, rice, and additional noodle dishes. These provided a solid selection of hot food for a more filling meal alongside the live-cooking offerings.
The lounge also featured a fresh coffee station with a barista, which was a nice touch and made it easy to get properly prepared coffee rather than machine-dispensed options. There was also a tea station offering varieties such as oolong, which felt fitting given the location. In terms of alcoholic beverages, the selection was quite limited, with vodka and only one or two additional spirit options available. The wine list was also modest, with just two wines on offer, making the drinks selection relatively basic compared to the strong food offering.
The beverage selection was fairly simple but covered the essentials. In addition to the spirits and wine, there were two beers available in the fridge, including Heineken and a local Chinese beer, which was a nice touch. There was also a standard range of soft drinks, including different sodas and bottled water, ensuring there were at least basic refreshment options for all passengers. While not extensive, the drinks offering was adequate for a lounge of this type.
There is also a higher level in the lounge, which follows a very similar setup to the main floor below. The layout and seating areas are largely the same, so it feels more like an extension of the same space rather than a separate concept. On this upper level, there is a reception area, although during my visit it was unattended. Despite that, the floor itself offered additional seating and space, making it another option if the lower level becomes busy, even if the overall experience remains quite consistent across both levels.
One noticeable difference on the upper level was the presence of massage chairs, which added a more relaxing element to that floor. It gave the space a slightly more comfortable and leisure-focused feel compared to the rest of the lounge. Although the overall layout and facilities were similar to the main level, the massage chairs made the upper floor a better option for passengers looking to unwind before their flight.
The upper level is clearly very large and may even feel bigger than the floor below, especially because of how open and spacious it is. During my visit, it was almost completely empty, which likely amplified that sense of scale and made the entire floor feel even more expansive. With so few passengers around, the space felt particularly quiet and open, giving it a very different atmosphere compared to the busier lower level.
The food options on the upper level are essentially the same as downstairs, so there is no real difference in terms of buffet variety or quality between the two floors. Thankfully, during our visit the lower level was not too crowded, so we were comfortable staying there for most of the time. However, if it had been busier, we would likely have moved straight upstairs, where the space was noticeably quieter and more open.
Overall, the China Eastern V36 lounge in Shanghai is a very large and functional space with the advantage of being split across two nearly identical levels. While both floors offer the same facilities, the upper level stands out for its quieter, more spacious atmosphere, especially when the lower level is busy.
The lounge performs well in terms of food, with highlights like the live noodle station, warm dishes, and fresh items such as fruit and salads. The shower experience was smooth and efficient, and the overall setup works well for a pre-flight stop. However, the experience is more practical than premium, with the upper level mainly serving as a better escape when the main floor gets crowded. Overall, it is a solid airport lounge that gets the job done comfortably before departure.