Airport Beijing.
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Photo: Edgard Hörz |
What an airport. Norman Foster has done it again. Can it be described as Asian? Is it a development on from Hong Kong? What it is, is space. And air. Vast open spaces and high, high roofing abound. Beautiful sweeping lines attract the passenger into a realm of peace.
Surprisingly quiet and easy to navigate with plenty of moving walkways, the flowing design draws those tired and stressed pax into the care of quiet efficiency.
Rapid proceedings at passport control leave many wondering where to find their luggageonly a couple of minutes later. Friendly answers from staff accompanying the short wait for one of the monorails, before being whisked off to the head of the arrivals terminal.
Quietly opened in March 2008, it is obviously leading edge in design and technology. Out of baggage pick up, passengers spill out towards adequate numbers of taxis and buses. A bus ticket costs just under 20 Yuan, a taxi ride downtown approximately 120 Yuan and journey times can be up to and over an hour.