โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
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.
๐ Connection Tips
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.
โฐ Minimum Connection Times
Domestic โ Domestic
45
minutes
Domestic โ International
75
minutes
Interline Connections
120
minutes
๐ข Terminal Information
Ar Horqin Airport (AEQ) is a Class A1 general aviation airport located in Ar Horqin Banner, within the city of Chifeng in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. Opened to serve the regional needs of this vast and culturally rich area, the airport primarily handles short-haul domestic flights using aircraft with up to 30 seats. The terminal is a modern, compact facility that provides a streamlined gateway for travelers visiting the famous Ar Horqin grasslands or engaging in local commercial activities.
The terminal layout is designed for maximum efficiency, featuring a single level that integrates all passenger services from check-in to boarding. Within this space, travelers will find a comfortable waiting area equipped with air conditioning and complimentary Wi-Fi, allowing them to stay connected while enjoying views of the surrounding Inner Mongolian landscape. The airport's focus on general aviation means that walking distances within the terminal are exceptionally short, often taking just a few minutes to navigate from the main entrance to the departure gate.
Amenities at Ar Horqin Airport include a small restaurant where passengers can sample regional cuisine, as well as essential facilities such as a first aid station and a smoking zone. While the airport does not feature large-scale shopping malls, its small retail presence offers a selection of local products and traditional Inner Mongolian items. For ground transportation, the airport is well-served by local taxis and bus services that connect the terminal to nearby towns and cities. Dedicated parking areas for both short-term and long-term stays are also available directly outside the terminal building.
๐ Connection Tips
Ar Horqin Airport operates as Inner Mongolia's specialized Class A1 general aviation facility serving the UNESCO Global Important Agricultural Heritage System of Ar Horqin Banner, located 8 kilometers northeast of Tianshan Town between Shenglong and Shuangshan villages, accommodating aircraft with up to 30 seats including Cessna 208B and Harbin Y-12 for regional connectivity. The facility primarily serves tourism access to traditional Mongolian nomadic culture where 15,000 people maintain seasonal migrations across the grasslands, supporting 3,000 households engaged in sustainable livestock management of 190,000 sheep and goats plus 81,000 cattle.
Connections through AEQ enable access to one of Inner Mongolia's last authentic nomadic regions where traditional seasonal movements continue unchanged, connecting travelers to summer camps, winter settlements, and cultural heritage sites across the 3,375-square-kilometer banner territory. The airport's compact design facilitates rapid transit between limited daily operations, while its strategic position supports government services, livestock industry logistics, ecological research, and cultural tourism focused on the region's status as China's first nomadic agricultural heritage site.
Domestic connections typically route through major Inner Mongolia hubs including Chifeng Yulong Airport (CIF) for commercial airline access, Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) for national connectivity, or regional airports throughout the autonomous region supporting the grassland economy. The facility's role extends beyond traditional aviation to support seasonal migration logistics, veterinary services for livestock operations, emergency medical evacuations for nomadic communities, and research access to the restored grassland ecosystems where scientific management reduced sheep populations while increasing cattle numbers for environmental sustainability.
Travel planning requires coordination with local authorities and nomadic community schedules, particularly during the three-month summer migration period when thousands of herders move to traditional camps, creating unique tourism opportunities for visitors seeking authentic Mongolian cultural experiences. The airport serves as gateway to homestay tourism development, traditional crafts markets, and ecological restoration projects while maintaining essential connectivity for one of the world's few remaining nomadic societies recognized by the FAO for its sustainable agricultural heritage practices.
โ Back to Beijing Nanyuan Airport