Shache Airport (ZWSC)
Medium airport · Shache, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China
Airport data
| Name | Shache Airport |
|---|---|
| ICAO | ZWSC |
| IATA | QSZ |
| Elevation | 4,232 ft (1290 m) above mean sea level |
| Coordinates | N 38°14'44" E 77°3'22" 38.24542, 77.05615 |
| Location | Shache, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China |
| Scheduled service | Yes |
Runways
| Runway | Length | Width | Surface | Lighted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/33 | 9,842 ft (3000 m) | 148 ft | — | No |
Shache Airport at a glance
Shache Airport is a medium airport in Shache, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China, known to airline systems as QSZ. The field elevation of 4,232 ft (1290 m) is the number every arriving pilot dials against QNH — circuit heights and initial approach altitudes at ZWSC are all figured from it. The airport handles scheduled commercial service, so expect controlled procedures, published approaches and commercial traffic in the pattern.
The single runway, 15/33, offers 9,842 ft (3000 m), without recorded lighting. Runway numbers give magnetic orientation: runway 15 points roughly 150° magnetic.
For the weather side of planning, the live METAR and TAF page for ZWSC shows the current observation decoded line by line — wind on an instrument dial, visibility, cloud layers and the resulting flight rules — refreshed continuously from official sources.
Nearest airports to Shache Airport
Distances are great-circle, measured from the field reference point — planning distances along airways or roads will run longer.
| Airport | Code | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Tashikuergan Hongqilafu Airport | ZWTK | 168 km (91 NM) |
| Kashgar Laining International Airport | ZWSH | 170 km (92 NM) |
| Hotan Airport | ZWTN | 281 km (152 NM) |
| Skardu International Airport | OPSD | 350 km (189 NM) |
| Gilgit Airport | OPGT | 354 km (191 NM) |
Flight-planning notes for Shache Airport
Density altitude is the quiet performance-killer at any field: on a hot day the 4,232 ft field elevation of Shache Airport can translate into a substantially higher density altitude, stretching take-off rolls and flattening climb rates — run the numbers rather than trusting the feel of a standard day. Expect published instrument procedures, controlled airspace and clearance requirements; slots and handling may apply to general aviation traffic.
This entry is one of 334 airports and airfields we list for China — the country index on the airports hub links the rest. Coordinates above are given in both DMS and decimal degrees so they can go straight into a GPS, a flight planner or a chart plot without conversion.
Where this data comes from
The reference layer behind this page builds on the OurAirports dataset — a public-domain, community-maintained register of the world's airports that many flight planners and apps rely on — with equity records preserved from documented historical listings where the dataset is silent. Figures are carried as published: elevations as surveyed, coordinates as filed, runway dimensions as recorded. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap, and the whole layer regenerates from source on every site build, so corrections upstream arrive here automatically.
Frequently asked questions about Shache Airport
What is the ICAO code of Shache Airport?
The ICAO identifier of Shache Airport is ZWSC, and its IATA code is QSZ. The ICAO code is the one used in flight plans, METAR reports and aeronautical charts.
How high is Shache Airport above sea level?
Shache Airport sits at an elevation of 4,232 feet (1290 metres) above mean sea level. Field elevation is the reference for pattern altitudes and for setting the altimeter on the ground.
Where exactly is Shache Airport located?
The airport lies at 38.2454, 77.0561 — in Shache, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China, in the northern hemisphere. The closest listed field is Tashikuergan Hongqilafu Airport, about 168 km away.
Does ZWSC publish METAR weather reports?
Where the station reports, the current METAR and TAF for ZWSC appear on its live weather page on this site, refreshed continuously from the US NWS Aviation Weather Center feed.
How long is the runway at Shache Airport?
Shache Airport has one runway. The longest, 15/33, measures 9,842 ft (3000 m).