..VOYAGE ECHOES (minus WIND)

The baggage claims area of the Beijing International Airport, just like many parts of the building is nothing to shout about & typical. No baggage of mine was lost, most importantly. It is as though the mind set of the Chinese government is reflected in the architecture. Make it simple, functional, give a modernistic form to it, & save cost whenever possible. For my self, arrival to the airport back in September 2006 was without hassle & long queues.

It is the departure from the airport that gave me some shivers. Overall I did expect a whole lot more from the Beijing International Airport considering that Beijing was holding the 2008 Olympics. Of course, there was a new airport terminal being built when I was there & I did not get an opportunity to see it. Folks who visited Beijing in 2008 for the Olympics sure did as there was no way the current airport with its original size & function could support the influx of so many people from around the world during an intense month like the September 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Popularity: 8% [?]

After you arrive & step off the plane at the Beijing International Airport, you will walk towards an immigration check hall. Depending on the frequency of arrival flights to the airport when you arrive, the queue will be a long one. Do note that long queues prior to the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the Beijing International Airport are something you may want to expect. The immigration officer that attended me was good mannered & did not ask any questions as he probably could not speak any English & I did not look like a man who could talk mandarin.

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Popularity: 6% [?]

Yes, it is no surprise for Beijing, China to have a huge haze problem enveloping the gracious city. Like in the picture above, you can hardly see any further past the Beijing International airport building. My first arrival to Beijing soil, China back in September 2007 was greeted with a sight of thick haze, overshadowing the Beijing international airport.

I felt like I was on another part of the world, well, actually I was in another part of the world already by being in Beijing. What I mean is that my first sight of Beijing was not at all what I had expected. In my mind was beautiful greenery & majestic, colorful oriental palaces. Instead, Beijing is smoking! The airport looks decent on its own but the smog/haze will literally disappoint any good first impressions for visitors to the infamous city of Beijing.

Popularity: 13% [?]