For decades Beijing Capital International Airport has been the first view of China for millions of visitors. It remains one of the country's busiest hubs and a natural choice when you want to land close to the embassies, business towers and nightlife of Beijing's north-east. This page focuses on flights to Beijing that arrive at Capital Airport (PEK), with tips on the terminals, the ride into town and the neighbourhoods that are easiest to reach from here.

About Beijing Capital International Airport

Location

Capital Airport sits next to Shunyi district, north-east of the historic centre and well outside the city's Fifth Ring Road. Expressways link it to the Central Business District, and a rail line runs to Dongzhimen. Because it lies on the north-eastern side of Beijing, it is also the more practical airport if you plan an early start for the Great Wall at Mutianyu or Huanghuacheng.

Terminals

Terminal 3 is the airport's showpiece, a huge, sweeping building that handles most international traffic. It is divided into separate concourses joined by an automated train, so follow the signs carefully after immigration. Terminal 2 serves a mix of domestic and international flights. Free shuttle buses link the terminals, and your e-ticket shows where your airline operates, which is especially important on the way home.

Getting from Capital Airport into Beijing

The Capital Airport Express rail line stops at Terminals 2 and 3 and runs to Sanyuanqiao, for subway Line 10, on to Dongzhimen, for Lines 2 and 13, and ends at Beixinqiao on Line 5. Airport shuttle buses serve many districts across the city and are useful when you have bulky luggage. Official taxis queue outside arrivals and use the meter; ignore touts inside the hall. Ride-hailing through mobile apps is common too.

Direct and connecting flights to Beijing Capital

Nonstop flights connect Changi with Beijing Capital, and a wide range of one-stop options pass through other hubs in China and the region. When you search, apply the Direct filter and choose PEK as the arrival airport so that you only see flights into Capital. Compare arrival times carefully, because an evening landing and a long immigration queue can make for a late first night.

If you are staying in the south of the city or plan to take a train onwards, compare flights to Beijing Daxing as well. The Beijing city page shows fares to both airports together, which is useful when your dates are flexible.

When to fly to Beijing Capital

Beijing's best weather usually arrives between September and October, when the air is dry and the countryside around the Great Wall turns gold. April and May bring blossom in the parks, although spring winds can be strong. Summer is hot with heavy afternoon storms, while winter is bitterly cold but crisp and clear, with far fewer visitors at the palaces and temples.

Travel from Singapore climbs in the June and December school holidays and around Chinese New Year, when many families visit relatives or go sightseeing. In China, the Spring Festival, the May Day holiday and the October National Day week are the busiest periods for domestic travel, and Capital Airport can be very crowded. Use this page's fare chart and a Price Alert to pick quieter, better-value dates.

Popular places in Beijing near Capital Airport

798 Art District

Converted factory buildings between the airport and the city now house galleries, studios, cafes and design shops. Weekends are lively, and the industrial architecture makes a striking backdrop for photos.

Mutianyu Great Wall

North of Beijing's centre, Mutianyu has watchtowers strung along forested ridges, a cable car to the top and, for the adventurous, a toboggan ride down.

Yonghe Temple

Also known as the Lama Temple, this active Tibetan Buddhist monastery close to Beixinqiao, the last stop on the Airport Express, is famous for its colourful halls and a towering Buddha carved from a single tree.

Olympic Green

The Bird's Nest stadium and the Water Cube stand in a large park in the north of the city, beautifully lit in the evening.

Sanlitun

Beijing's trendiest shopping and nightlife quarter mixes open-air malls, rooftop bars and international restaurants, and it is close to the embassy area.

Where to stay in Beijing if you land at Capital Airport

Dongzhimen is the most convenient base, a stop on the Airport Express with subway links in every direction. Sanlitun and the Central Business District around Guomao are modern and close to the airport by road. The Wangjing area is quieter and handy for early flights. If sightseeing in the old city is your priority, the hutongs around Beixinqiao sit right by the Airport Express terminus, and Wangfujing is a short subway ride away.

Food to try in Beijing

Copper-pot mutton hotpot

Old Beijing hotpot, known as shuan yangrou, uses a chimney-style copper pot of plain broth for dipping paper-thin lamb slices, eaten with a rich sesame sauce.

Jianbing

This savoury crepe, cooked on a griddle with egg, crispy cracker, scallions and sauces, is one of the most popular street breakfasts in Beijing.

Lamb skewers

Chuan'r, cumin-dusted lamb skewers grilled over coals, are the classic late-night snack at street stalls and casual restaurants.

Beijing yogurt

Thick, slightly sour yogurt sold in small ceramic pots is a nostalgic local treat; drink it through a straw and return the pot to the shop.

Beijing Capital is a well-connected, efficient gateway to China's capital. Pick an arrival time into PEK that leaves room for the immigration queue, then book on Traveloka with a payment method you already use.