<strong>Beijing Daxing International Airport: </strong>An aerial view of the striking new Beijing Daxing International Airport, dubbed "starfish" by Chinese media.
Beijing Daxing International Airport: An aerial view of the striking new Beijing Daxing International Airport, dubbed "starfish" by Chinese media.
STR/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Opening day: </strong>President Xi Jinping officially declared the airport open during a ceremony on Wednesday, September 25.
Opening day: President Xi Jinping officially declared the airport open during a ceremony on Wednesday, September 25.
Natalie Thomas/CNN
<strong>An airport for the future: </strong>Designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid and her Chinese partners, the airport has a terminal the size of 97 soccer pitches -- as well as customer-service robots that provide travelers with flight updates and airport information.
An airport for the future: Designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid and her Chinese partners, the airport has a terminal the size of 97 soccer pitches -- as well as customer-service robots that provide travelers with flight updates and airport information.
Natalie Thomas/CNN
<strong>Opening day: </strong>International<strong> </strong>press, dignitaries and airline representatives joined the opening day ceremony, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Opening day: International press, dignitaries and airline representatives joined the opening day ceremony, led by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Natalie Thomas/CNN
<strong>A striking design: </strong>Daxing's sleek, modern interior design is striking, thanks in part to the 8,000 distinct rooftop windows that allow in the sun's rays.
A striking design: Daxing's sleek, modern interior design is striking, thanks in part to the 8,000 distinct rooftop windows that allow in the sun's rays.
Natalie Thomas/CNN
<strong>Minimal walking: </strong>Daxing aims to reduce walking for passengers, who will traverse a distance of no more than 600 meters (650 yards) between security checkpoints and the remotest gates.
Minimal walking: Daxing aims to reduce walking for passengers, who will traverse a distance of no more than 600 meters (650 yards) between security checkpoints and the remotest gates.
Natalie Thomas/CNN
<strong>Long awaited: </strong>The greatly anticipated airport ushers in a new era for air travel to and from the Chinese capital, which has been in desperate need of a second global gateway.
Long awaited: The greatly anticipated airport ushers in a new era for air travel to and from the Chinese capital, which has been in desperate need of a second global gateway.
Natalie Thomas/CNN
<strong>Shopping and dining: </strong>The airport is filled with high-end stores and restaurants, all ready to serve passengers.
Shopping and dining: The airport is filled with high-end stores and restaurants, all ready to serve passengers.
Natalie Thomas/CNN
<strong>Ambitious growth targets:</strong> A staff member greets visiting media on opening day at Daxing.<strong> </strong>The "modest" initial operational target at Daxing is to accommodate 72 million passengers and 2 million tons of cargo annually by 2025.
Ambitious growth targets: A staff member greets visiting media on opening day at Daxing. The "modest" initial operational target at Daxing is to accommodate 72 million passengers and 2 million tons of cargo annually by 2025.
Natalie Thomas/CNN