Last August, I embarked on what I would describe as one of the most invigorating travel adventures I’ve ever undertaken. Among the diverse and numerous destinations on my travel bucket list, China had been beckoning me for quite some time. China, a country omnipresent across the world, its people dispersed in nearly every corner of the globe. A land of emperors and great conquerors, China captivates even the least curious minds.

Most of the time, I travel solo, but with my son now a bit older at 11, I felt it was the perfect age for him to delve into the wonderful world of travel beyond his accustomed experiences. With his summer school holidays spanning six weeks, typically spent visiting family in Colombia, we decided to break from tradition and explore a different culture this time.

Given my son’s love for reading, our initial step in trip preparation involved acquiring a book about the history of China, which, as expected, he devoured within a few days.

To enhance our anticipation, I also found it immensely helpful to create a day-to-day itinerary, complete with descriptions and images of all the places we were set to explore. With the visa secured and the travel checklist finalised, we were ready for the adventure.

Throughout our journey, we immersed ourselves in the vibrant culture of China, beginning our exploration in Beijing, a colossal megalopolis teeming with 24 million people.

Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

Our arrival point was Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), the primary airport situated 35 km from the city center. Serving as a vital link between China and the rest of the world, the airport boasts three terminals, three runways, and two control towers that operate concurrently. Remarkably, it handles an astonishing 95 million passengers annually!

At Beijing Capital International Airport, each terminal serves distinct purposes:

Terminal 1: Exclusive for domestic flights, connecting to major Chinese cities.

Terminal 2: Handles both domestic and international flights, accommodating over 35 airlines.

Terminal 3: Manages both domestic and international flights, with T3-C and T3-D dedicated to domestic departures, while T3-E caters to international departures. Terminal 3 stands as one of the largest terminal buildings globally, featuring 120 boarding gates distributed across three concourses: C, D, and E.

While we had private transportation arrangements to and from the airport, I made sure to assess accessibility options for my readers. Beijing Capital International Airport offers various transportation modes:

Airport Shuttle Bus: Running from 4:00 until 01:00, this service connects the airport with different points. Intercity Buses: Serving as another option for travellers.

Private Taxis and Car Hire: Available for those who prefer personalised transport.

Airport Capital Train: Operating from 06:20 until 23:00, it offers a 30-minute journey to Dongzhimen central station at a ticket cost of 25 Yuen (GBP 3). The train runs every ten minutes and is accessible from Terminals 2 and 3.

Inter-Terminal Shuttle Services: Passengers benefit from 24-hour shuttle services for convenient terminal transfers.

The visa-free transit policy at Beijing Capital Airport is implemented for international transfers. This policy extends to citizens of 53 countries holding tickets for connecting travel to a third country or region, provided they have confirmed seats and a departure time within 144 hours. British passengers, along with most European citizens, can benefit from this visa-free transit privilege.

Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX)

Beijing has recently inaugurated a new airport, Beijing Daxing Airport (PKX), which commenced operations just a few days ago in September 2019. Serving as Beijing’s second international airport, Daxing operates on a single-terminal style. Remarkably, Daxing now holds the distinction of being the largest single-terminal building airport globally, spanning an area of 1,000,000 m², more than double the size of London Heathrow.

Located 46 km from the center of Beijing, the airport has assumed the role of the primary connector for northern China with the rest of the world.

The terminal’s design draws inspiration from traditional Chinese architecture, incorporating courtyards and a star-shaped layout. This innovative design ensures that passengers do not need to traverse more than 600m to reach connecting flight gates, with a walking distance of approximately 10 minutes between gates.

British Airways is set to shift its operations to Beijing Daxing Airport from PEK later this month. Daxing Airport, a mega hub, is poised for even more growth with plans for seven runways in its final stage and the potential addition of another terminal in the future. Remarkably, this airport will boast a capacity of over 100 million passengers.

The efficiency and speed of this project stand out as a true masterpiece in Chinese infrastructure development, completed within an impressive timeframe of just five years. Comparatively, when contemplating the prolonged timeline for the construction of Heathrow’s third runway, it sparks considerable reflection.

Temple of Heaven

Upon landing, we promptly headed to our first destination, the Temple of Heaven. Here, we were captivated by the sight of Beijingers joyfully socializing while engaging in their daily exercises within the serene Temple of Heaven gardens. Despite the weariness from a 13-hour journey, the experience was undoubtedly worthwhile, allowing us to maximize our time in this fascinating setting. Witnessing the Beijingers practicing exercises that resembled more like acrobatics added an extra layer of awe to the visit.!

The Temple of Heaven served as a significant imperial temple in Beijing, where emperors would come to pray for a good harvest. This historical site stands out as one of the most important among Beijing’s imperial temples and is a must-visit for anyone in the city.

The park surrounding the temple provides a serene space to sit, relax, and appreciate the stunning surroundings. Upon entering the temple, we encountered a bustling atmosphere, likely due to the China school holiday season. Fortunately, we had the privilege of being accompanied by an expert local guide, Michael. He skilfully navigated us through the site, ensuring an effective route to avoid the crowds.

Michael also took care of entrance tickets and coordinated with the driver to pick us up at optimal locations after each exploration. Despite the hot and humid weather, our visit to the temple was thoroughly enjoyable.

The site boasts beautiful wooden and colourful architecture, a unique historical significance, and enchanting gardens with ancient trees.

The Temple of Heaven closes at 5 pm, and the entrance fee is 35 RMB, with audio guides available for further exploration.

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to reach out if you require assistance in planning your personalized trip to China

Next: Great Wall of China – Forbidden City

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. …”

Love from

❤️

Jenny