The Impressive Daxing Airport Terminal Building

Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) officially opened on September 26, 2019, showcasing one of the world’s most spectacular aviation terminals. As the second largest terminal building globally (after Istanbul Airport), PKX is designed to handle more than 100 million passengers annually. In the future, a South Terminal is also planned to accommodate growing passenger traffic.

The Unique Design of Daxing Airport Terminal

The terminal was designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid, reflecting her signature futuristic style with smooth curves, arches, and an organic flow. Its distinctive “starfish” shape has earned PKX the nickname “Starfish of Beijing”. The building covers 1,000,000 m² and features a large central atrium connected to five passenger concourses and a sixth service concourse. Traditional Chinese gardens are located at the ends of each corridor, blending culture with innovation. The golden roof includes skylights that flood the terminal with natural light, creating an open and relaxing atmosphere.

Passenger Flow and Layout

  • Arrivals and departures are separated: two floors for departures and two for arrivals.
  • Despite its size, walking distances are short: no gate is more than 600 meters from the center, making it an 8-minute walk maximum.
  • Features China’s largest moving walkways, ensuring smooth transit across the terminal.

Interesting fact: PKX has 422 check-in counters, 63 baggage carousels, 79 boarding gates, and 3,000 flight information screens.

Innovations at PKX Terminal

  • Double-deck arrival and departure platforms for smooth passenger flow.
  • Facial recognition technology for self check-in and boarding.
  • Smart baggage tracking with e-tags.
  • Eco-friendly systems: low-carbon design, solar panels, rainwater recycling.
  • Inspired by Chinese symbolism: the terminal resembles a phoenix, and concourses feature outdoor gardens.
  • Below the terminal lies a vast transportation hub (trains, subway, buses).

City Terminals

PKX extends its convenience beyond the airport with multiple City Terminals where passengers can check in, drop baggage, and head straight to boarding upon arrival at the airport:

  • Caoqiao City Terminal – allows direct baggage check-in.
  • Zhuozhou City Terminal – located in Zhuozhou Vocational Education Park.
  • Langfang City Terminal – in the Hebei Province Economic Development Zone.
  • Lize City Terminal – expected to open in 2025.
  • Gu’an City Terminal – currently out of service.

PKX Terminal Floor Layout

  • Level 5: Food courts, retail shops, and dining.
  • Level 4: International & domestic departures (180 international + 120 domestic check-in counters).
  • Level 3: Domestic check-in (Air China, China United Airlines), fast-track check-in, VIP & business services.
  • Level 2: Domestic arrivals, baggage claim, access to taxis and Parking P1 & P2.
  • Level 1: International arrivals, baggage claim, customs, taxis, and bus stops.
  • Underground Levels: Transportation hub with train & subway stations, plus direct airport check-in facilities.

Additional Highlights

  • 5G-enabled smart services to minimize waiting times.
  • 400+ self-service kiosks for smooth check-in and boarding.
  • Self-service baggage drop to speed up procedures.