Roberta Aguirre
Beijing Capital International Airport is a modern airport with a range of amenities and services to keep travellers entertained during layovers. The airport boasts over 100 restaurants, serving a variety of cuisines, from casual Chinese and Asian dishes to Western staples like Starbucks and McDonald's. For those who want to relax, there are airport lounges, free themed lounges, and a traditional Chinese foot massage service. Shopping options include bookstores, convenience stores, souvenir shops, and duty-free boutiques featuring luxury brands. If you have a longer layover, you can explore nearby attractions like the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, or even the Great Wall of China, but be mindful of visa requirements and transportation times.
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What You'll Learn
Airport Lounges and Gardens
Beijing Capital International Airport is a modern airport with a range of facilities and services to keep travellers entertained during layovers.
Airport Lounges
If you have a long layover, you may want to consider booking a single-visit pass or purchasing a lounge membership to access the airport's lounges. These lounges offer a range of amenities, including showers, multimedia devices, reading areas, conference rooms, massages, and sleeping pods. Some lounges, like the Tulip Lounge in Terminal 3, also have electricity recharging zones, vending machines, and juicers.
Gardens
For a relaxing break, head to Terminal 3, which boasts two gardens with fish ponds. Here, you can unwind, disconnect, and take in the peaceful surroundings. Airport staff offer fish food to visitors who want to feed the fish between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily.
Other Amenities
In addition to the lounges and gardens, Beijing Capital International Airport offers various other amenities to keep you occupied during your layover. The airport has over 100 restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, including Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Western options. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities, ranging from bookstores and convenience stores to high-end boutiques and duty-free shops featuring luxury brands.
If you're looking to explore beyond the airport, Beijing offers a 144-hour visa-free transit policy for eligible foreign passengers. This allows you to visit nearby attractions, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square, as long as you return to the airport at least two hours before your departure.
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Food and Drink
Beijing Capital International Airport offers a wide variety of food and drink options to suit all tastes and preferences. The airport has various restaurants and outlets throughout Terminals 1, 2, and 3, ensuring that travellers have plenty of choices during their visit.
For those seeking a quick bite, several popular fast-food chains are present, including Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King, and Costa. Additionally, travellers can find an array of cafes and coffee shops like UBC Coffee, Pacific Coffee, and Luckin Coffee, offering a range of beverages and light snacks.
The airport also caters to diverse culinary preferences, with options for Western, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Muslim, and Italian cuisines. Travellers can indulge in local Beijing delicacies at Hua's Cuisines in Terminal 2 or explore the authentic dishes of Sichuan and Hunan provinces at the My China restaurant within the Hilton Beijing Capital Airport hotel.
For those seeking a more upscale dining experience, the Compass Grill at the Hilton Beijing Capital Airport hotel offers an extensive selection of steak and seafood, accompanied by a fine wine cellar. The Yue Shang restaurant, also at the Hilton, showcases the southern region's specialties, including expertly crafted dim sum and elaborate 12-course banquets.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) also provides a plethora of dining options. Besides the aforementioned fast-food chains and cafes, travellers can savour the famous roast duck at Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant or enjoy a cup of milk tea and small hot pot at the Airside Concourse C.
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Shopping
Beijing Capital Airport offers an extensive selection of shopping options. From designer clothing and accessories to perfume and cosmetics, there is something for everyone. The airport also has gift and souvenir shops, bookstores, convenience stores, and Chinese speciality stores. If you're looking for a bargain, the duty-free shops in the international areas of T2 and T3 offer a range of high-end fashion, fragrances, and electronics without the taxes and duties typically imposed on imported products. Brands available include Dior, Lancôme, La Mer, Bvlgari, Gucci, and Tiffany.
If you're looking for something a little more luxurious, Terminal 3's E Gate is the place to go, with shops such as Bally, Montblanc, Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, and Prada. You can also find luxury goods at Beijing Daxing Airport, which has stores open 24/7.
For those interested in traditional Chinese products, silk and tea are highly recommended. The airport also has a selection of reading materials, including books, magazines, and newspapers.
If you're looking for a unique experience, Beijing Wildlife Park is just a short distance from the airport and is home to 200 animal species, including golden monkeys, tigers, and bears. The large Temple and its surrounding park are also nearby and offer a glimpse into ancient China's history and tradition.
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Attractions outside the airport, such as the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square
Beijing Capital Airport is a great gateway to some of China's most famous attractions, such as the Great Wall of China, the Forbidden City, and Tiananmen Square. These iconic destinations are all located within reach of the airport, offering travellers a chance to explore beyond the airport walls during their layovers.
The Great Wall of China, a majestic and ancient wonder, stretches across mountain ridges once forming the northern borders of ancient China. With a total length of over 21,000 kilometres, it is a true marvel. The two most popular sections of the wall, Mutianyu and Badaling, are located about 70 kilometres north of Beijing's city centre. Travellers can opt for a taxi, S2 train, bus, or private transfer to reach these sections of the wall. The journey from the airport to Mutianyu typically takes around two hours by car, and the entrance fee is 45 yuan. Tour options are also available, often including other attractions such as Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.
Tiananmen Square, a city square in the heart of Beijing, is approximately 20 miles from Beijing Capital Airport. It can be reached by various means, including subway and bus. The subway journey, including transfers, takes around 46 minutes and costs $5, while the bus, operated by Beijing Airport coaches, takes 50 minutes and costs the same. Tiananmen Square is a significant location, as Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the People's Republic of China here on October 1, 1949. The square is home to several notable landmarks, including the Monument to the People's Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong.
The Forbidden City, another must-see attraction, is often included in tours along with the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square. It is located near Tiananmen Square, which is named after the Tiananmen ("Gate of Heavenly Peace") that separates the two sites. Travellers can reach the city centre, and from there the Forbidden City, by shuttle bus, subway, or private transfer service.
With so much to explore, travellers with long layovers at Beijing Capital Airport have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Chinese history and culture beyond the airport walls.
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Airport facilities, including free Wi-Fi
Beijing Capital Airport is equipped with various facilities and services to cater to the needs of travellers. One notable feature is the availability of free Wi-Fi throughout the airport. To access the free WiFi, simply connect to the network "AIRPORT-FREE-WIFI-NEW" on your mobile device or laptop. If you have a Chinese mobile number, you can receive your username and password via SMS. Otherwise, you can obtain the login credentials at self-service terminals near the information desk by using your passport or ID card.
The airport also boasts an array of dining options, with over 100 restaurants offering a diverse range of cuisines. You can indulge in different Chinese cuisines, teahouses, and Asian delicacies, including Thai and Japanese dishes. For those seeking familiar tastes, there are Western staples like Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, and Costa Coffee. Many of these dining establishments are open 24 hours a day, ensuring that you can find a meal or a quick bite whenever your flight schedule demands.
Beijing Capital Airport also offers a range of shopping opportunities. From airport essentials at bookstores and convenience stores to unique souvenirs at Chinese specialty shops, you can find a variety of items to browse and purchase. The duty-free shops in the international areas of Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 offer a range of renowned brands, including Dior, LANCOME, LA MER, BVLGARI, GUCCI, and Tiffany. Terminal 3, in particular, is known for its boutiques if you're seeking a more luxurious shopping experience.
For those seeking relaxation and comfort during their layover, the airport features lounges with single-bed rooms and standard rooms equipped with entertainment options such as TV and movies. Certain lounges also provide additional amenities like multimedia devices, reading areas, conference rooms, massage services, and shower facilities. If you're looking for a quick refresh, Terminal 3 houses two gardens with fish ponds, providing a tranquil environment to unwind and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of travel.
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Frequently asked questions
Beijing Airport offers plenty of options for travellers during a layover. You can find various restaurants and cafes, including Western chains like Starbucks, McDonald's, KFC, and Costa Coffee, as well as Chinese teahouses and other Asian cuisines. The airport also features a variety of shops, including bookstores, convenience stores, souvenir shops, and duty-free areas. If you're looking to relax, there are pay lounges with single-bed rooms, multimedia devices, reading areas, and massage services. Terminal 3 also has two gardens with fish ponds. For those with longer layovers, you can consider heading into downtown Beijing for sightseeing, but keep in mind the travel time and visa requirements.
Beijing Airport is well-connected to the city centre, and popular attractions include the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and the Summer Palace. The Great Wall of China is also a major attraction, but it is further away and may require a package tour or more time.
Yes, Beijing Airport offers a variety of options for travellers seeking relaxation during their layover. Le SPA in Terminal 3 provides traditional Chinese foot massages, and the airport also has free themed lounges with rest areas, electricity recharging equipment, TV-watching areas, and sofas.
Beijing has a 144-hour visa-free transit policy for eligible foreign passengers from specific countries or regions. You can apply for a temporary entry permit with your passport, application card, and interline flight ticket to a third country or region. However, it is important to allow sufficient time for returning to the airport, as customs inspection and travel time can be significant.
