Watch: An Exclusive Preview of Beijing's New Daxing Airport
This is the quietest that the world's biggest airport will ever be. No droves of passengers rushing to terminals, no kiosk staff hawking duty-free wares, and no planes landing or taking off.
As construction workers put finishing touches on the Beijing Daxing International Airport, British travel vlogger and broadcaster Stuart Wiggin had a chance to visit the mammoth structure, equipped with a hard hat and camera crew in tow, to give us a glimpse of its sprawling 1,000,000sqm-plus floorspace and chic design in the video "The World's Biggest Airport Terminal (Room Tour)".
We spoke to Wiggin shortly after he posted a video on social media about what it was like to visit the structure ahead of the official opening. "It was an opportunity that very few people will get to experience; seeing this incredible structure come to the end of its construction phase. And to see the place without anyone there, or virtually no-one aside from the workmen, was surreal," Wiggin says. He went on to salute the late star architect Zaha Hadid (of Galaxy Soho fame, among many other renowned buildings around the world), pointing out that Daxing is Hadid's "last great design creation, and my team and I felt very lucky to be able to have such access."
After cutting his teeth at China Radio International throughout much of the 2010s, Wiggin began hosting his own talk show on Chinese search engine and media platform Youdao, along with shooting his own clips on his light-hearted Stupid in China YouTube channel. "We make travel shows all around China and I've had some incredible opportunities," he says. "Last year, when we filmed me failing miserably to run the entire length of the Hong-Kong Zhuhai Macao bridge before anyone else was allowed on it. And now I've been able to film a room-tour of the largest airport terminal in the world!"
Even if Wiggin's silly style isn't your cup of tea, the clip features gorgeous shots of this sleek new facility. Wiggin also has a keen eye for detail, revealing fascinating aspects of the airport's design and its unique perks for anyone remaining behind to see passengers off.
Situated 46km south of Beijing's city center, and slated to open this coming September, Daxing should provide major relief to the infamously congested Beijing Capital airport.
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As we reported previously, early reports say a number of airlines — including China Southern, China Eastern, and SkyTeam — plan to relocate their entire operations from Beijing Capital International Airport's T2 to Daxing after it opens. Wiggin also points out in the clip that, by 2025, 72 million passengers are expected to pass through the new airport annually via its four runways, which will later be increased to six.
A speedy new transit line will connect the airport to the city, allowing travel from Beijing South Railway Station to Daxing in about half an hour.
Watch Wiggin's sneak peek of Beijing's new airport on YouTube here. You can also follow his antics on Facebook at Stupid in China or on Bilibili at 司徒建国秀.
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Photos: Wu Tong