Four Hours.
About four hours between flights; so now what? Considering the need for a visa to enter China, that pretty much only leaves the option of pacing up and down the magnificent new airport terminal three. With sweeping design, and vastly spacious if any airport can be fun, then this is the one.
If, however, meetings downtown are over and time is not too tight, then there are a few other options.
Catch a cab for a whirlwind tour past Mao’s mausoleum, the outer walls of the forbidden city, a spin around Tiananmen Square and time is just about up, when the hour or so to the airport is taken into the equation.
Another option could be, yes you guessed it, shopping in one of the multi-mall streets. One suggestion could be the very central Oriental Plaza, south east of the Forbidden City.
Option three is to visit a Hutong, an old, traditional and rather narrow street, many of which have been or are being renovated and converted with delightful cafés, restaurants and boutique stores of fashion or collectables. The city authorities decided to preserve some of these special places blending the old with the new. Try Nanluoguxiang, a fine place east of the centre and easy for a quick airport getaway.