Transport · Airports · PKX
北京大兴国际机场 · PKX / ZBAD. Zaha Hadid's starfish terminal south of Beijing, hub for China Southern and Eastern, with its own metro express line.
About this airport
Beijing Daxing International Airport, known locally as 大兴机场 (Dàxīng Jīchǎng), opened in September 2019 — less than four years after ground was broken — as a statement infrastructure project intended to relieve congestion at Capital Airport and anchor the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei economic region. It sits on the southern outskirts of Beijing, straddling the Beijing–Hebei border.
Zaha Hadid Architects won the design competition in 2011; the result is a five-petal form with the central hub as the connection point for all piers. The building has received consistent praise for its interior spatial quality: a soaring central atrium with curved white roof panels lets in natural light, and the floor plan is intuitive despite its scale. It was awarded the Guardiola Prize for best infrastructure project in 2021.
China Southern designated Daxing as its primary Beijing base; China Eastern and several other carriers also operate from here. By contrast, Air China remained at Capital. The split means connecting passengers should confirm which airport their transit passes through. Daxing is newer and generally cleaner than T2 at Capital, though the lounge portfolio is still maturing.
Terminals
Single starfish-shaped terminal building designed by Zaha Hadid Architects. Four concourses radiate from a central hub. Walking distances within the terminal can be significant; allow extra time at the gate.
Transit to the city
Daxing Airport Express connects the airport to Caoqiao station (connection to Metro Line 10) in about 20 minutes (CNY 35) and continues to Caoqiao metro in about 30 minutes. Taxis to central Beijing cost roughly CNY 100–160 and take 45–70 minutes. The express also links to Langfang in Hebei.
Priority Pass lounges
Food
The central atrium hub has the widest food choice: dumplings, noodles, hotpot counters, and international fast food chains. Satellite pier options are thinner. The food court level is below the main departures hall.
Sleep options
The Yitel Hotel is connected airside via the terminal's central hub. Room rates are competitive for an airport property. Landside, several budget chains operate in the immediate airport precinct.
Transit visa-free rules
Daxing is included in Beijing's 72-hour and 144-hour TWOV scheme, the same eligibility rules as PEK. The two airports are not interchangeable for a single TWOV trip — the transit window begins on arrival and the onward departure must be from the same airport.