Flying into the future

Beijing's new Daxing International Airport, a marvel of logistical planning, architecture and economic integration, will open later this month

On the southern border of Beijing, spilling into Hebei province, is a gigantic field occupied by a massive starfishlike structure with six arms. This starfish is the world's largest airport terminal, and the surrounding field is for flight operations. All together, it's nothing short of an engineering and logistical marvel.

About 46 kilometers south of the city's downtown district, the Beijing Daxing International Airport is expected to open before the end of this month.