When Australian traveler Henry Irving arrived at Beijing Daxing International Airport with a day between flights, he had a question: What could he do with his time in the Chinese capital?
The answer came with an unexpected bonus — a free visit to Beijing Wildlife Park.
The airport had just launched a program offering transfer passengers free admission to the park. Feeling lucky, Irving signed up.
Located about 13 kilometers from the airport, a 25-to-30-minute taxi ride away, the park offers a change of scene from departure boards and boarding gates, with red pandas, capybaras, elephants and more.
Set in a forest in southern Beijing's Daxing district, the park offers plenty to explore on foot. Visitors can also hop aboard a small train for a 10-kilometer ride through landscapes designed to resemble wetlands, mountains and grasslands.
Launched on Nov 11 by the airport and the park, the offer waives the usual admission fee of 150 yuan ($22).
Through Dec 31, passengers making international transfers, as well as those traveling to or from China's Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan region, can apply at the Beijing Service counter on the terminal's first floor. Eligible journeys include transfers between domestic and international or regional flights, as well as between two international or regional flights.
Travelers must show identification and proof of both flight segments to receive a voucher, which can be exchanged for an admission ticket at the park. Shopping and dining vouchers, as well as a visitor's guide, are also available. The number of daily places is limited, with admission offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
For travelers unfamiliar with Beijing, getting a ticket is only part of the journey. Wang Qiang, deputy general manager of the airport's aviation business department, said the airport had also considered how visitors would get to the park, where they could store their luggage and how they could return in time for their next flight.
"We hope the guide will help travelers set off without the burden of luggage, enjoy their visit with peace of mind and return to the airport on time," Wang said.
The airport recommends the trip for passengers with at least six hours between flights. Luggage storage is available at the airport, while the park offers free storage at its entrance.
Daxing Airport handled more than 640,000 transfer passengers on journeys involving international flights in 2025, up more than 28 percent from the previous year, according to figures reported by border inspection authorities.
It also recorded more than 900,000 inbound trips by foreign nationals by late October this year, an increase of about 36 percent year-on-year.
Elsewhere in the capital, Beijing Capital International Airport and travel service provider China Travel Service have opened a tourism service area in Terminal 3, offering trips around the city and nearby areas.
For passengers with eight to 10 hours between flights, options include evening visits to Qianmen Street and the Wangfujing shopping area. The service area also provides translation devices and information on local attractions.
Farther south, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport offers eligible international transit passengers a free city tour organized by local culture and tourism authorities. Travelers can choose bus or metro tours to explore the city's history and landmarks.
Such services are giving international travelers more opportunities to explore China during stopovers. They come as the country makes it easier for eligible visitors to leave the airport and see more of the country. Under China's 240-hour visa-free transit policy, travelers from 57 countries can visit designated areas while transiting to a third country or region.
An action plan issued by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Civil Aviation Administration of China calls for improved entry and transfer services at major airports and encourages cooperation between airports and tourism businesses.
These efforts come as China welcomes a growing number of international visitors. In 2025, the country recorded 35.17 million inbound visits by foreign tourists, up 30.6 percent from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
