Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK/ZBAA) is currently the second busiest airport in the world and the busiest in Asia. It handled 100.1 million passengers in 2018 and traffic is split on three runways, of which the last was only recently opened in 2007. Even though arrivals are often split on all three runways, you will catch lots of movements, due to the extremely high traffic. With the opening of the new Daxin airport in China, lots of carriers moved away from PEK like China Southern, China United and more SkyTeam carriers.

Capital Airport is the main gateway to the Chinese capital city and a major hub for the four major Chinese airlines: Air China and Hainan Airlines. Of course you will see lots of international traffic from all over the world, with most major carriers flying at least once a day to PEK.

Cargo operations are not as strong as passenger traffic, but you can see a few local carriers like SF Airlines and China Postal, which mostly operate flights in the morning. Use the official airport website for scheduled and estimated times on these flights.

There is one major drawback to spotting in Beijing. Even though the weather is generally pretty good and the area enjoys a great deal of sunshine over the year, the city (and the airport as well) frequently suffers from extreme air pollution (smog), which makes spotting terribly difficult, as the sun can be blocked out and/or you will often only have a gray or white background in your images.

Most locations around the airport are on the south side, so when landings from the south are in progress. This is the best direction for spotting and this guide primarily deals with these ops. PEK mainly operates in the northernly direction (i.e. landings/take-offs from south to north) due to the restrictions of airspace. In general, Beijing is a very spotter friendly airport and you need not worry about getting into trouble with the police.

For flights inquiry, please install the BCIA app on your smartphone.

General tips for China

many foreign websites and apps are blocked and don’t work in China. Below you will find some helpful apps:

• WeChat: every Chinese use this app, it also has a good translation function that helps really a lot because the language is the main barrier. You can translate from Chinese writings and they can translate your English into Chinese characters. This is a must have. The common western messenger services like Facebook, WhatsApp etc. don not work in China!
• Alipay: it is a major Chinese App that can be registered abroad and almost all shops/stores/hotels etc. support it as an official payment. You can add your western credit card like Amex, VISA or Mastercard to Alipay in advance. Furthermore you can also book and pay flights, hotels, restaurants, didi etc. with the app. This app is a must have!
• Didi: the Chinese “Uber”. Very helpful to reach the spots which are not connected to the public transport.
• Baidu Maps or Gaode Maps: this is the chinese google/apple maps.

We recommend to buy a chinese eSIM in advance from airalo for example. It is cheap and simple to install.

Written by Jan Seba, Mao Ting, Martin Yu, Tanyang Hei, Thomas Okaty, Jasonxlin & Yixin Chen. Last Update: March 2024 – Spot 14 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
18L/36R	3.810 m (12.500 ft)
18R/36L	3.445 m (11.302 ft)
01/19	3.810 m (12.500 ft)
Terminals
Terminal 1	Closed
Terminal 2	Hainan and its subsidiaries, SkyTeam, Oneworld. And some more carriers
Terminal 3	Air China and all Star Alliance carriers. And some more intl. carriers
Spotting Information
Ladder	Not required.
Car/Public Transport	Car is not required. Taxi is a good choice, but make sure the driver uses the taximeter. Most short drives around the airport are less than 2 Euros. It is advisable to prepare some maps at home to show to the taxi driver. Make sure the maps have the written name (in Chinese!) of the location (or streets) where you want to go. Do not expect taxi drivers to speak English. Though some of them know one or two words it will never be enough so that you explain where you want to go. Another alternative to get around PEK is metro+bike. There are rental bikes distributed around the airport area, mostly MoBike and ofo. You can download their apps in advance and ride wherever you’d like to go. The cost is only 1 CNY per hour. Metro is also useful for spotting at PEK. For locations near T3, you can simply take Airport Express line to Terminal 3 and then walk/bike to those locations. For locations near the west runway, you can take Subway Line 15 to China International Exhibition Center or Hualikan and then ride/taxi to the locations.
Restrooms	The terminal is close to a few locations and offers restrooms. Otherwise there is nothing at most of the locations.
Drinks/Food	Take drinks and snacks with you, but you can buy things in the terminal if you are close.
Hotels	There are a few hotels in the area around the airport, but some of them are in an industrial area, where you will hardly find supermarkets and restaurants. The area to the southeast (where the CITIC is located) has some good opportunities. There’s also a spotting hotel near Terminal 2, see location #10.
Season	Season is a difficult topic in PEK. In recent years, the government in Beijing has made huge efforts in improving the air quality, especially in winter. Besides, Beijing usually witnesses strong wind in winter, which likely results in clear days. I would recommend winter although the days are relatively short. North-south operations often happen in spring and the weather in spring is not that bad. So spring is also a good season to visit PEK. The summertime from June to August records the highest amount of precipitation. Furthermore, Beijing is usually smoggy and way too hot in summer. Autumn (especailly late autumn) is simillar to spring, except less southernly operations. In summary, October – April are good months to visit PEK.
Security	When there are foreign affairs activities here (such as foreign guests visiting China and international conferences), the police will be distributed around the airport and spotting is prohibited. Keep a low profile everywhere, and don’t show your camera for a long time xcept Location 5. Most importantly, don’t have any conflict with the police or PAP! When they ask you to delete the picture, please do not hesitate to delete it, and leave the spot IMMEDIATELY.
Runway Usage
General Info	In general, all runways are used for arrivals and departures, though some carriers have preferences due to the location of their terminal, those are noted accordingly. If you are after a special movements, which is only once or a few times a week, look up aviation photos online of these specific movements in PEK, sometimes the uploader wrote a comment, which RWY was used and you can get a feeling, where it will most likely land. Air Kyoto nearly always uses 01 landing. Most of the governmental/military or any rare visitors use the middle runway for landings/take-offs. Remember all the comments from below are based on impressions and they can be false or the system in PEK might have changed over the time. Another tip worth mentioning is that even PEK sometimes operates southernly, the operation nearly only changes in the afternoons.
18L/36R	Main departure runway, which is also used for landings in peak periods.  In the morning it is very busy with departures and handles only a handful of arrivals and gets busier with arrivals starting noon.
18R/36L	Preferred runway for Hainan and most Terminal 2 carriers. Also often used for international arrivals, regardless of terminal location, so you can see for example United or Turkish Airlines here. This is also the main cargo runway. Usually handles more arrivals than departures.
01/19	Preferred runway for Air China and often Star Alliance carriers. Seems to handle more arrivals than departures.

Due to national security concerns, the use of geographic information in China is restricted and the layers in google maps don´t fit. The satellite images are correct but the street layers are displaced! 
Please click on the link at each location (WHERE) to get to the chinese website baidu where you find an exact map with satellite and street view images. If you use a smartphone please download the Baidu App.

Field – 01 Arrivals Morning

WHERE	The location is on Siwei Rd. From the airport it is about a 30 minute walk. If you feel confident enough to use a taxi, make sure to download the “Didi” app (similar like Uber and Lyft in the US or Grab in Southeast Asia) prior to your trip. This will ensure that the taxi driver will pick you up or drop you off at the exact location and the language barrier won’t become an issue.
WHAT	You can shoot the arrivals on RWY 01 here and you can vary your location according to your preferences for angle and distance.
TIME	Light conditions are good from sunrise until 11 AM.
MISC.	There is nothing here.
FOCAL LENGTH	110mm for a B772 and 190mm for an A320.

PEK-Spot1 Alternative

PEK-Spot1 Alternative

PEK-Spot1 Alternative

Parking Lot – 01 Arrivals Evening

WHERE	The spot is on a sidewalk next to a staff parking lot south of the termnal. It’s not possible to drive directly to this location, it is probably easier to let the taxi driver drop you off at the Terminal. From there descend (inside the terminal) to ground level and walk a small pathway towards the parking lot. Stay within the grass area and do not shoot from the parking lot itself, as people have been sent away from there. Link to Baidu Map
WHAT	You can shoot the arrivals on RWY 01. From the airport feeder ramp you could theoretically also shoot lineups, but they are very far away and pictures will be prone to heat haze. Furthermore you will have trouble shooting the aircraft without obstructions in your picture.
TIME	Light conditions are good from 2:30 PM until sunset.
MISC.	There are rubbish bins at the location and everything else is in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	100mm for a B772 and 175mm for an A320.

PEK-Spot2

PEK-Spot2

PEK-Spot2

PEK-Spot2

PEK-Spot2

PEK-Spot2

Bridge - 01 departures

WHERE	There is a bridge that near to the Airport East Rd. with a sidewalk where you can spot from. As for transport, you could choose take a taxi here or take the bus Shunyi/Shun 22 and walk for about 500m here. Link to Baidu Map
WHAT	Right banking planes taking off from RWY01. Sadly, only narrow body or heavy birds will have a significant banking angle.
TIME	Light conditions are good from sunrise until 11 AM.
MISC.	No any supplies here. Be careful of the cars on the road.
FOCAL LENGTH	400mm+

PEK-Spot3

Park – 36R Arrivals Morning

WHERE	Even though it’s possible to drive directly to this location, it is probably easier to let the taxi driver drop you off at Terminal 3. From there descend (inside the terminal) to ground level and walk a couple of small pathways to the park. Once you’re there just shoot over the water and you won’t have any obstructions. Link to Baidu Map Update Dec 2022: park is open for public and there are no restrictions anymore
WHAT	From here you can shoot the arrivals on RWY 36, but as mentioned under Runway Usage, this runway is not very busy in the morning, but if you are hoping for a special highlight, this might be the place to be.
TIME	Light conditions are good from sunrise until 11 AM.
MISC.	Shops and restrooms are in the terminal.
FOCAL LENGTH	Not tested, but should be less than 200mm for an A320.

Park Hill – 36R Arrivals Evening, Lineups

WHERE	In the small park south of the airport there is a hill, which offers a nice elevated location for you. The best way the get here is most likely by trying to show the taxi driver the crossing between Erwei and Yijing Rd. If that fails, just let him drive you to the Terminal and walk from there to the location, it’s not that far. Update Dec 2022: park is open for public and there are no restrictions anymore or reservations needed Link to Baidu Map
WHAT	Good for shooting RWY 36R arrivals in the evening, when the runway gets more traffic. But the airplanes are relatively high here, so the angle is worse compared to all the other locations. As a small bonus this is probably the best location to take lineup shots on 36R, but you will also face heat haze around noon for that.
TIME	Light conditions are good from 2:30 PM until sunset for arrivals and lineups can be good all day (except early morning) depending on how you like to shoot them.
MISC.	There are benches and rubbish bins in the park.
FOCAL LENGTH	50 – 300mm MU A330 = 60mm / CA B737 = 85mm / SDA B737 = 100mm / CA B737 = 300mm / CA B777 = 60mm / Private Jet = 155mm

PEK-Spot5

PEK-Spot5

PEK-Spot5

PEK-Spot5

PEK-Spot5

PEK-Spot5

Road Intersection – 36L Arrivals Morning

WHERE	You will find this location at a large intersection of the Tianbei Rd. Most taxi drivers will know this road, so it will be relatively easy to get here. You just have to tell them to stop once you are close to the spot. The best place to shoot is a small grass strip east of the intersection and behind the traffic lights, where you do not disturb anyone and the traffic and lamp posts don’t disturb you. Link to Baidu Map
WHAT	Good location for shooting 36L in the morning, where you can catch most of the cargo arrivals.
TIME	Light conditions are good from sunrise until 11 AM all year round.
MISC.	It can happen that the security guard from the company next door approaches you and wants to know what you are doing, but they should be ok with you after they know that you are shooting pictures of the airplanes. Other than that, there is nothing useful at this location.
FOCAL LENGTH	130mm for a B744 and 240mm for an A320.

PEK-Spot6

PEK-Spot6

PEK-Spot6

PEK-Spot6

PEK-Spot6

PEK-Spot6

China Inn Hotel - 36L arrivals

WHERE	It is an alternative to spot 6. The intersection at spot 6 is a very traffic crowdy and noisy place with just a small place to stay over the grass, attracting the attention of the police. Moreover the aircraft are quite far away and long lenses are needed. Just walking 100 m on Tiambei Rd, there is a small road on the right called Tianzhou Rd. Still 100 m and on your right there a hotel/residence called China Inn. There you can stop and take photos at the landing planes from a very favourable angle, with shorter focals. Link to the hotel at Baidu Map
WHAT	36L landings only.
TIME	Light conditions are good from sunrise until 11 AM all year round.
MISC.	There is the China Inn hotel next to you. It have windows openable but we did not try it.
FOCAL LENGTH	A20N = 155mm; A333 = 100mm

PEK-Spot7

PEK-Spot7

PEK-Spot7

Overpass Bridge - 36L arrivals

WHERE	There is also a good spotting location for 36L arrivals from noon to sunset. Just follow Tianbei Rd (beginning at location #5) westwards until you see a pedestrian overpass. Climb up the ramp (or the staircase) to the overpass on the south side of Tianbei Rd. and position yourself right up on top of the ramp. Moreover, for people without private cars, this spot is easier to arrive by public transport than #9 which offers almost the same sight. If you need help finding the location go to https://www.google.cn/maps and punch in (copy-paste) 天竺幼儿园停车场 (Tianzhu Kindergarten Parking Lot). It’s right next to the overpass (also on the south side). Link to Baidu Map
WHAT	36L landing
TIME	All year round, from noon to evening.
MISC.	Nothing nearby, bring everything you need. There is a pbulic toilet 50 meters to the west.
FOCAL LENGTH	772 = 140mm; A321 = 230mm

PEK-Spot8

PEK-Spot8

PEK-Spot8

Leisure Park/Storage hall - 36L arrivals

WHERE	For 36L arrivals you have two options: Leisure park: a small leisure park is being built in the north of Fuqian 2nd Street and offers nice photo opportunities and is an alternative to the previous location. Write in Chinese is “府前二街”, where the view is wide and the environment is good. If you drive there, you can put it in a small car park on the side of the road. If you can find the overpass at #8, then turn right at the intersection from #8 to the west, and then turn right at the intersection, you will see an open park. If you take a taxi, you can tell the driver to go to the capital airport store of the pudding hotel. Link to Baidu Map Storage hall: A few meters west of the Leisure park are some storage halls around Fuqianer St featuring some meadows, from where you have a great view and better angle onto the arrival path. Easiest way to get here is by Didi, just show your driver the exact spot.
WHAT	36L landing and 18R takeoff.
TIME	All year round, from noon to evening.
MISC.	There are restaurants and hotels around here along the roads where you can find toilets. At both options normally no one will pay attention to what you are doing. You can stay here easily. On the meadows however, there will be 40cm tall grass in summer, so be sure to take some mosquito proof. Heat haze can be an issue at the storage halls due to the nearby roofs in summer, just walk a bit up and down and look for a position with lower roofs and less haze then.
FOCAL LENGTH	70-300mm Park: 787 = 85mm / A321 = 135mm Storage hall: Comac = 290mm / A359 = 140mm

1. Leisure park:

PEK-Spot9-LeisurePark

PEK-Spot9-LeisurePark

PEK-Spot9-LeisurePark

2. Storage hall:

PEK-Spot9-StorageHall

PEK-Spot9-StorageHall

PEK-Spot9-StorageHall

No longer available

WHERE	This location is on the opposite side of the Air China Cargo entrance which is located on the north side of the airport. To get there, copy-paste 北京天竺综合保税区(航港二路) into Baidu maps. The spot itself is along the main road on a grassy area where you can park as well. UPDATE AUGUST 2024: It is no longer allowed to spot from there. There may be PAP (People’s Armed Police Force, an organization similar to the National Guard, wearing green military uniform) telling you that it is forbidden to take photos when you are here (applicable to any situation).
WHAT	All arrivals on Runway 19
TIME	Light conditions are good from 2:30 PM until sunset.
MISC.	There’s nothing there, bring everything you need. Probably some planes are too low and you will have parts of the fence in your picture.
FOCAL LENGTH	A380/77W=180mm; 738=300mm

PEK-Spot10

PEK-Spot10

PEK-Spot10

PEK-Spot10

PEK-Spot10

No longer available

WHERE	Continue from #10 southwards and pass the Air China Cargo complex 北京天竺综合保税区(航港二路). After that there is a small parking lot to your right (spotters are no longer allowed to enter the parking lot. ), get south of it and start spotting from the road. By cab tell the driver to kick you out at the Air China Cargo complex and you walk to this place. UPDATE AUGUST 2024: It is no longer allowed to spot from there. There may be PAP (People’s Armed Police Force, an organization similar to the National Guard, wearing green military uniform) telling you that it is forbidden to take photos when you are here (applicable to any situation).
WHAT	Heavy departures on runway 36R. Look towards the east when arrive at the parking lot, and you can see an open space between two buildings. you can take photos of planes taking off at runway 01 in the afternoon too.
TIME	From sunrise until late morning.
MISC.	There’s nothing there, bring everything you need.
FOCAL LENGTH	A380=180mm

Industrial Area - 36R departures

WHERE	This spotting location is in an industrial area next to the “Beijing Tianzhu Comprehensive Free Trade Zone”, north of the airport between runway 18L and 18R. You can park as marked on the map and photograph the planes from there.
WHAT	36R departures only
TIME	Light conditions are good from 2:30 PM until sunset.
MISC.	This is just an industrial zone so be prepared if you plan a longer stay. The administrator will not stop you from entering the parking lot, but sometimes they will call the police when you start spotting (especially when spotters gather together). Be aware of heat distortion due to the distance.
FOCAL LENGTH	A330/767 = 250-300mm

PEK-Spot12

PEK-Spot12

PEK-Spot12

Tianzhu Comprehensive Free Trade Zone Parking Lot - 18L arrivals

WHERE	This spotting location is a bit north of the previous one but this time it is next to the entrance for the “Beijing Tianzhu Comprehensive Free Trade Zone”, north of the airport between runway 18L and 18R. You can park as marked on the map and photograph the planes from there.
WHAT	Useable for 18L arrivals only.
TIME	Light conditions are good from late noon until sunset.
MISC.	This is just an industrial zone so be prepared if you plan a longer stay. Be aware of heat distortion due to the distance.
FOCAL LENGTH	100-400mm C130=300mm

PEK-Spot13

Field - 18R Arrivals

WHERE	This location can be found at the side of a sort of field clearing the view between all the trees in the forrest area here. The field is located just off Huandao E Rd northwest of the end of runway 18R.
WHAT	From here you can see the 18R Arrivals.
TIME	Later noon till sunset.
MISC.	There is nothing really around here. Stay off the sort of fields and private property here.
FOCAL LENGTH	30-200mm A350 = 60mm

PEK-Spot14

PEK-Spot14

PEK-Spot14