Beijing Capital Airport The New Terminal 3 With Terminals 1 and 2 operating at capacity and Beijing's air traffic growing at 20% a year, the 2008 Olympics demanded an immediate solution. This resulted in the US$4.6 billion Terminal 3. Another spectacular new piece of Beijing architecture, the Feng Shui compliant Terminal 3 is the creation of Britain's Norman Foster. With Chinese red columns and a muted gold roof it evokes traditional Chinese colors in a modern design. Looking at the airport from above, with raised scales on its back and long body it looks like a flying dragon, especially with free drinks on the flight over. The terminal is oriented North-South to help incoming passengers get oriented and a system of skylights face southeast to maximize sunshine. Opened in March 2008, ten thousand villagers had to be relocated from the area surrounding Terminal 3. Built in 3 1/2 years using 50,000 workers, a half million tonnes of steel and two million tonnes of concrete it extends for almost three kilometers. It is six times larger than Heathrow's new T5. A Canadian built shuttle train runs up the center of the dragon airport, connecting the three main sections. There are 300 check in counters, 451 elevators and a system of baggage carriers able to move up to 20,000 bags per hour over 60km of track at a speed of 7 metres per second. Wow. With Terminal 3 hot off the press, plans are underway for an entirely new airport for Beijing, slated to open in 2015. Signs are in English and Chinese. Above the monitors show you which check in counter to go to for your flight, below is a map of the checkin area. Other screens show flight status and gates in English and Chinese. Check in counters are brand new state of the art equipment. An information counter is located in the center of the entrance. While their English was not great, they tried hard to answer questions and succeeded with patience. Cash machines and the Bank of China are located in the airport. Bilingual signs make it easy to navigate your way. Plenty of cafes and places to relax if you have to wait. You can roll your baggage trolley right up to the restaurants. Starbucks and Haagen-Dazs. How much more international can you get!? Spacious and bright, you don't feel crowded. The entrance to immigration for departure. Immigration is modern and easy. Make sure you filled out the departure card. Exit customs, just walk through unless you have something to declare. Youtube: Discovery Channels Man Made Marvels After customs, lots of Duty free. Shop for tea, silks and other souveniers if you have not done so already. A touch of traditional architecture. A bit of American civilization. In case you've had your fill of Chinese food... Most of the restaurants are strangely located before immigration. Better to eat there, and same for getting a coffee. Signs point the way to go. Bi-cultural toilets. Sit... ... or squat! Spacious departure area. The new airport is A380 ready! Have a great flight! Have a look at the old but still operational Terminal 2.