8 THINGS TO REMEMBER
?Have your health certificate ready upon your arrival. There’s always a bottleneck at the collection point, and if you stop to rummage for the form, you could find yourself at the end of a long immigration line.And when leaving the country, remember to fill out a departure card before queuing up at the immigration desk – no one will point this out to you – and avoid being turned away to do so. These forms are stacked in several counters in the immigration area.When going through security, it is necessary to place all metal items such as pens, mobile phones and coins among others through the scanner.
? Arriving passengers may also be required to put their luggage through a scanner located after the customs area. Be judicious when bringing in published material into China. Some publications such as Apple Daily and 8 publication will certainly be confiscated for their content, deemed inappropriate by the authorities.
? Avoid the taxi touts that approach you as you exit from the baggage claim area, even if they wave an “official” card in your face.Many of these cars are underground taxis (what the Chinese call heiche or black cars), and some have fake meters. Licensed or not, the ride can cost you three to many more times the actual price.Wait at the taxi rank in front of the airport and ask for a copy of your receipt once you reach your destination.
? ATM machines that accept major international bankcards are available on Level 1 just inside the entrance to the domestic and international departure areas.Arriving passengers will find ATM machines in the baggage claim area and just outside in the main arrival hall.
? When changing money, do save the exchange receipt. The banks in the departure area of the airport won’t change your yuan back into foreign currency without an official receipt.
? When arriving at the airport to leave Beijing, only accept help from the uniformed baggage carriers with Capital Airport identification cards, ignore anyone else.
? The airport tax is now included in the price of the ticket, so there’s no need to pay before checking in, and beware of con artists –complete with fake receipts – asking you for the departure tax.
?New regulations require that international travelers fill out a customs form before entering the check-in area.Grab a form from the counter in the main hallway before entering the check-in area. This will save you from having to drag your bags back outside again.
5 THINGS TO DO BEFORE A FLIGHT
? Get a relaxing foot or upper body massage in the international hourly lounge on the B1-level.An upper body massage costs CNY148 (US$18)for 50 minutes, while a whole body massage is CNY198 (US$25)for 50 minutes.
? Dine inexpensively, go where the locals and airport staff go: the B1 level of the terminal building where several good restaurants are located. Besides Japanese and Western restaurants, including a KFC, there is also a food court offering cuisines such as Beijing, Shanghai, spicy Hunan and Sichuan and Cantonese and even lesser-known dishes from Yunnan,Guizhou, Suzhou,Hangzhou and Shandong. For an upmarket ambience,Hua Yuan restaurant on the far side of this area specialises in Sichuan, Cantonese and homestyle cooking. There’s also a Muslim eatery whose fare features lamb.You’ll find prices here much more reasonable than those outlets in the pre-departure area and airside.
? Waiting time can be spent surfing the Net at the Sunbird Digital Relaxation Harbor on level 3 of airside.You can also use your computer with the Wi-Fi facilities or log on at one of the centre’s computers for CNY50 (US$6) for unlimited use, including coffee, tea, juice or soft drink. Open 0630 to midnight.
? Unwind with a drink before checking in for your flight at the Lucky Shamrock Bar on Level 3. Or calm down with a hot pot of tea at the comfortable Tea House decorated with traditional Chinese furnishings. The subdued lighting here makes this a perfect place to relax. If you need a perk-me-up, grab a latte and sink into a comfy armchair at one of the new Starbucks Coffee shops on Level 1 and inside the domestic and international waiting areas. The prices here are cheaper than at the Chinese food concessions.
? Get your 2008 Summer Games gear early. The domestic and international waiting areas (between gates 5 and 9 for international) have a number of small shops selling authorised Olympic souvenirs – t-shirts, hats and the like.
FACT FILE
China’s gleaming Beijing Capital International Airport, 27km northeast of the city centre, opened in October 1999, a significant improvement over its smaller and out-of-date predecessor. In anticipation of the 2008 Summer Olympics, expansion is being undertaken to raise the facility’s capability to handle 60 million passengers a year, up from the current 35 million arrivals.
In 2008, peak monthly passenger numbers are tipped to hit 5.56 million.
Address: Airport Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100621
Passenger hotline: 86 21 6456 3220
