Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is one of the world's most architecturally spectacular and operationally ambitious airports, opened in September 2019 south of Beijing. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in collaboration with ADP Ingeniérie, Daxing's terminal is a landmark of 21st-century airport design — and its scale, efficiency features, and capacity make it one of the most significant aviation infrastructure projects of the modern era.
Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) is located approximately 46 kilometers south of central Beijing, straddling the boundary between Beijing municipality and Hebei Province. Opened in September 2019 in time for the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, PKX was built to relieve the capacity pressure at Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) and to serve the growing population of southern Beijing and the Xiong'an New Area.
The airport's terminal building — designed by the late Zaha Hadid — is one of the largest single-building terminals in the world, with a distinctive starfish-shaped plan that places the main concourse at the center and five concourse arms radiating outward. The design minimizes walking distances from check-in to the farthest gate while accommodating enormous passenger volumes.
PKX serves as a primary hub for China Southern Airlines and for certain China Eastern operations, as part of a deliberate government policy to split Beijing's aviation traffic between the two airports to manage capacity and competition.
Beijing Daxing was conceived in the early 2010s as the Chinese government recognized that Beijing Capital Airport (PEK) would reach capacity constraints. The design competition was won by Zaha Hadid Architects, and construction began in 2016. Despite the immense scale of the project, the terminal was completed in approximately three years — a remarkable achievement reflecting China's infrastructure construction capabilities.
The airport opened on September 25, 2019. The phased development plan envisions ultimate capacity of 100 million passengers annually across multiple development phases.
Beijing Daxing operates as a single integrated terminal building with five concourse arms:
The terminal's design minimizes walking distances — no gate is more than approximately 8 minutes on foot from the central security area. An underground automated people mover connects the furthest concourse arms. The terminal also includes a high-speed rail station beneath the concourse, providing direct connections to Beijing city center.
China Southern Airlines has established PKX as a major hub, relocating significant domestic and some international operations from PEK. Selected China Eastern operations also use PKX. Several foreign carriers have begun services to PKX including British Airways, Finnair, and others.
The airport's network is growing as airlines respond to government incentives to distribute traffic between Beijing's two airports. Domestic connectivity is the primary strength of PKX, with a growing international route network developing alongside.
Daxing Airport features premium facilities throughout its architecturally striking interior. Duty-free and retail are extensive. Dining includes Chinese cuisine from multiple regional traditions alongside international options. Airline lounges for China Southern and other carriers serve premium passengers. The terminal's design includes extensive natural light throughout, creating an exceptional passenger environment. Wi-Fi is available (with the usual mainland Chinese internet restrictions).
PKX is served by a high-speed integrated ground transport hub beneath the terminal:
PKX offers extensive parking across multiple structures adjacent to the terminal. Short-stay and long-stay options are available. Given the airport's rapid development, parking infrastructure is modern and well-organized. Electric vehicle charging is widely available reflecting China's EV priorities.
Daxing's most remarkable practical feature is its walking efficiency — the Zaha Hadid design genuinely delivers on its promise of short gate-to-check-in distances for most passengers. The terminal's natural light and open design also make it a notably pleasant environment.
As with all mainland Chinese airports, international internet services are subject to filtering. Download offline maps and essential applications before arrival.
The high-speed rail station beneath the terminal is one of PKX's most distinctive features — check whether your destination is better served by metro or rail.
Beijing Daxing Airport is a strategic infrastructure investment reflecting China's long-term aviation growth ambitions. By creating a second major Beijing hub, the government has expanded capacity while also supporting the development of the Xiong'an New Area — a planned major city south of Beijing that PKX is intended to anchor. The airport supports China Southern's ambition to build a Beijing hub to complement its Guangzhou base.
PKX's master plan envisions eventual capacity for 100 million passengers annually across multiple development phases. Additional concourse arms, expanded international terminal facilities, and further rail connections are planned. The airport's development will accelerate as China's aviation market continues to grow and as Xiong'an New Area develops.
Beijing Daxing International Airport represents China's most ambitious statement in modern aviation infrastructure and marks a new phase in Beijing's development as a dual-hub aviation market. Its role is currently defined by China Southern's hub operations and the government's strategic goal of distributing Beijing's aviation traffic to reduce PEK's congestion and develop the southern Beijing-Xiong'an corridor.
As PKX's network matures and more international airlines are incentivized to serve the airport, its role will evolve from primarily domestic to a more balanced domestic-international hub. Its direct high-speed rail access to multiple Chinese cities is a significant advantage for domestic traffic.
Within Beijing's dual-airport system, PKX handles China Southern, selected China Eastern, and growing international operations while PEK handles Air China and the majority of legacy international carriers.
In practical terms, PKX can be understood as:
Airports within approximately 60 miles of Beijing Daxing International Airport that may provide additional scheduled commercial, regional access.
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Beijing Daxing International Airport was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in collaboration with ADP Ingénierie. The terminal's distinctive starfish-shaped plan is one of the most iconic airport designs of the 21st century.
China Southern Airlines is the primary carrier, having relocated significant operations from PEK to PKX. Selected China Eastern operations and a growing number of international carriers including British Airways and Finnair also serve PKX.
The Daxing Airport Express metro line connects PKX to the Beijing metro network (Caoqiao station, Line 10) in approximately 25–30 minutes. High-speed rail connects to Beijing West station.
PKX (Daxing) is Beijing's newer airport, opened in 2019, primarily serving China Southern and growing international routes. PEK (Capital) is the established historic airport serving Air China and most legacy international carriers.