Beijing Capital International Airport — Attraction in Beijing

Not recommended if you are travelling with children, elderly, or have health conditions, no wifi,

SECURITY: ** I went in early august and travelled back through this airport around sept 9/ 2018. We were in terminal 3 or 4 I cannot be 100%sure. It was very slow and tedious going throughout the security screening, and temperature is uncomfortably warm in the security area. As they dont speak much English it is hard to follow directions what they want you to do. On our way back the passport self scanner we scanned, and we were yelled at by security to move to the other side right away which was very rude as he yelled on top of his lungs, i was very tempted to ask him why does he have to yell like that? he can communicate calmly to us. ;(

AIRPORT STAFF HELPFULNESS: 1 star * It was really hard for us to find someone who can speak enough english to help us. I guess speaking Chinese will be more helpful. A book or translation device would be handy. Most staff in the restaurants , duty free or almost anywhere do NOT speak any english at all, and was pleasantly surprised that a janitor was able to help us in english than anyone-else.

Wifi: only exists in theory, it does not work ever.

RESTAURANT/ FAST FOOD: zero stars Our terminal had handful of Chinese food places and 1 KFC and pizza hut. It was extremely frustrating to get no help at pizza hut. At this pizza hut you are supposed to sit at your seat and they come and help you there. The staff realized we were non-chinese speakers and would not come to take our order for good 25 mins, I had to go and get some guy who could come and help us. The rest of the staff just hid in the back and even upon calling would not come to us i am assuming because of language barrier. Finally that one guy was willing to attempt to take our order and we were able to order a basic cheese pizza. I had to point to a jug of water to indicate that we would like water please as staff did not know what "water" was. at the table they had forms which has options to select what you want to order but we just wanted just a basic cheese or vegetable pizza which option was not there so forget it trying to explain to staff if you want to explain to them that what you want is not the form. :)

RESTING LOUNGE: * We were provided a special lounge because we were at the airport for a full day almost. The receptionist at the lounge was completely dumb founded and did not know anything about us having a lounge and it took a few minutes for us to clarify and finally for her to acknowledge that we have a lounge. A very rude pakistani-canadian couple with one child took up 4 couches ( 2 extra to put their feet) took 2 extra couches and it was not enough couches for everyone and there were people sitting/ sleeping on the floor too. there was free food in the lounge such as coffee, soft drinks, cookies , biscuits and i was the warm stuff in the warmers is for premium travellers only which was not really that appetizing to look at anyways. All juices/ sodas in the fridge were past the expiry date but the staff informed me that in CHINA the expiry is one year after the date on the product which i have not heard before, maybe someone can verify that? Lounge has showers too which is a plus point.

TEMPERATURE: I travelled both ways through this airport during aug and september and both times the temperature was was on the high side and uncomfortable specially in the security screening area.

CONCLUSION:😀 I would NOT recommend travelling though this airport specially if you have health problems, have kids who would be bored or annoyed or impatient easily, are an elderly or travelling with elderly , or get frustrated easily. First of all passing through the security is uncomfortably hot temperature wise, 2nd there is language problems so if your flight is missed, delayed or anything like that it will be really hard explaining the staff to help you with that. if you are getting a good deal on the ticket then and can bypass all the hurdles then by all means travel...

Beijing Capital International Airport is truly impressive and leaves a lasting impression. The architectural design of both terminals resembles a dragon, reflecting traditional Chinese symbolism in a modern structure. For arriving passengers who do not speak Chinese, the check-in and immigration process can be challenging at times. However, all pathways are clearly marked with directional signs, making navigation more manageable. The journey to the main arrivals hall and passport control is quite long but straightforward, as it’s all on one level. The corridors along the way are spotlessly clean, equipped with benches and immaculately maintained restrooms that meet high hygiene standards. Passport control can take some time, but the staff was exceptionally helpful. Due to my flight from London being delayed, I was kindly allowed to skip the queue to make my connection. Arrivals and departures operate from separate terminals, connected by a clean and well-marked airport train, similar to the setup at London Gatwick. There are intermediate stops between the starting and final stations, though these seem intended more for technical staff. The airport offers an abundance of space, with both terminal arms extending toward the runways. Many seating areas are designed to face the runway, allowing passengers to enjoy views of take-offs and landings. Most chairs are comfortable and equipped with individual USB charging ports. At the far end of the terminal, there are convenient high stools with tables and 220V power outlets for charging laptops and other devices for free. Given the airport's vast size, walking from one wing to another within the same terminal can take around 20 minutes at a relaxed pace. It’s advisable to check your departure gate in advance to avoid last-minute rushes. Also it is worth to mention little park and children play ground in the middle of terminal. There are plenty of shops and small restaurants. I recommend trying the local KFC, which offers familiar flavors with a unique local twist at reasonable prices. Cash payments in Chinese Yuan are accepted, which is convenient for transit passengers without WeChat Pay or other local payment apps. English communication may be limited, so I suggest downloading an offline dictionary on your phone for smoother interactions. The airport provides free Wi-Fi with decent speed for one hour. However, it’s wise to have a reliable VPN. Services like Nord and Shark didn’t work for me, but Let's VPN functioned perfectly. This recommendation is purely based on my experience—no sponsorship involved. Both hot and cold water dispensers are readily available, which is a thoughtful amenity. Initially, I had concerns about flying with Chinese airlines and navigating Chinese airports, but everything was well-organized, offering high-quality service and competitive pricing—even on long-haul routes to places like Australia and Japan. Ticket prices are around 30% lower compared to flights via other hubs. I highly recommend Beijing Capital International Airport. It was a positive experience, and I wish the same for every traveler...

Beijing Capital International Airport (IATA: PEK, ICAO: ZBAA) is the primary international airport serving Beijing, China, located 32 km (20 mi) northeast of the city center in Chaoyang and Shunyi districts. Opened in 1958, it’s China’s busiest airport and the world’s second-busiest by passenger traffic, handling over 100 million passengers annually at its peak. Owned by the state-controlled Beijing Capital International Airport Company Limited, it features three terminals: Terminal 1 (currently closed), Terminal 2 (mixed domestic and international flights), and Terminal 3 (the largest, built for the 2008 Olympics, serving Air China and most international carriers). The airport has three runways—two 4E-class and one 4F-class—and connects to the city via the Airport Express subway (¥25, 30 minutes to Dongzhimen), shuttle buses, and taxis. Its IATA code, PEK, reflects Beijing’s former romanized name, Peking. Terminal 3, designed by Norman Foster, spans over 986,000 square meters, making it one of the world’s largest airport terminals.

In Terminal 2, travelers find essential services on three levels. Level 1 handles domestic arrivals, international baggage claim, and transport options like car rental desks and taxi stands. Level 2, the main hub for departures, features check-in counters, security, and a variety of dining options—Chinese cuisine, teahouses, and Western chains like Starbucks, McDonald’s, and KFC, many open 24 hours. Shops sell local handicrafts and clothing, while VIP lounges, such as the China Southern Sky Pearl Lounge, offer premium travelers showers, Wi-Fi, and workspaces. Level 3 manages international arrivals with customs and immigration services. Additional amenities include ATMs, currency exchange, a post office (7 AM–8 PM), and a business center with fax, copying, and internet. Terminal 3, the largest and most modern, built for the 2008 Olympics, spans over 986,000 square meters. It’s split into sub-concourses: T3C for check-in, T3D for Air China domestic flights, and T3E for international flights. Facilities include extensive dining—Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Western options—plus two gardens with fish ponds for relaxation (fish feeding 9 AM–3 PM). Lounges like the BGS Premier Lounge and Hainan Airlines Fortune Wings Lounge provide nap rooms, showers, and conference spaces. A 2 km automated people mover connects T3C and T3E via T3D, running every 6 minutes. Other services include free Wi-Fi (via “AIRPORT-FREE-WiFi” with passport scan or phone verification), medical rooms, water dispensers, and luggage storage (electric lockers and counters, e.g., T2’s at ¥10–50/day). Both terminals offer 24-hour shuttle buses between them, banking with international remittance, and disabled-friendly amenities like ramps and modified toilets. Parking garages cater to short- and long-term needs, with reserved spots for accessibility. While Terminal 3 outshines with scale and modernity, both ensure travelers have robust options for comfort and...