๐จ๐ณ Beijing, China
Beijing Nanyuan Airport (NAY) was the oldest airport in China, serving as a secondary hub for the capital city until its official closure to commercial traffic in September 2019. The terminal was a functional and historic facility that primarily handled domestic flights operated by China United Airlines. it played a critical role in Beijing's aviation history, serving as a base for military and government aviation for over a century.
Inside the terminal, passengers experienced a more compact and traditional airport environment compared to the massive Beijing Capital International Airport. Facilities included standard check-in counters, basic waiting lounges, and a selection of retail and dining options offering local Chinese snacks and refreshments. The airport was known for its efficiency and shorter processing times for domestic travelers, making it a popular choice for those looking to avoid the congestion of the city's larger international hubs.
Following its closure, all commercial operations were transferred to the new Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX). The Nanyuan site remains a significant historical landmark and continues to serve as a military airbase. Ground transportation to the city center was readily available via airport shuttle buses and local taxis, providing convenient access to the southern districts of Beijing. It remains an essential part of China's aviation heritage, marking the transition from early air travel to the modern era of massive international hubs.
Beijing Nanyuan Airport (NAY) is not a live passenger airport anymore, so the only useful connection advice is to avoid going there for a commercial flight. China United's commercial operations moved away years ago, and a passenger trying to self-transfer to NAY today would be heading to the wrong side of Beijing for no reason. Do not rely on old map pins, old travel-blog screenshots, or cached itinerary tools that still surface NAY, because they can still appear online despite the airport's closure to commercial traffic.
Civilian operations ended when Beijing Daxing International Airport opened on September 25, 2019, and Beijing's current official airport guidance focuses travelers on PKX and PEK. For modern trip planning, decide first whether your actual flight uses Beijing Daxing or Beijing Capital and then build your rail, subway, or road connection around that airport instead.
That matters especially in Beijing, where the difference between PKX and PEK is not a small terminal choice but a major citywide transfer issue. If an old itinerary reference, third-party ticketing screen, or cached map entry still shows NAY, treat it as stale information and verify the departure airport directly with the airline before you travel. In practical terms, NAY belongs in the database as a historical airport entry, not as an active self-transfer point, and the safest connection strategy is simply to ignore it and confirm the real airport code before leaving for the terminal.
โข Airport is CLOSED; all commercial flights now use Daxing (PKX).
โข Do NOT go to Nanyuan; it is now a restricted military zone.
โข Daxing (PKX) is the modern alternative for all China United flights.
โข Beijing Capital (PEK) remains the other major hub for the city.
โข Update your travel guides; NAY has been non-commercial since 2019.
Minimum domestic connection:
45 minutes
International connections:
75 minutes
Interline transfers:
120 minutes
See current Google Maps reviews, ratings, photos, and traveler experiences for Beijing Nanyuan Airport (NAY).
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Last updated: April 2026 | Data Source: IATA and other airline sites and resources