China is one of the global powerhouses and is ranked fifteenth in the list of nations with the highest number of airports. Some of the routes served in China have also made it to the list of the busiest domestic routes in the world for 2024 as well as the busiest domestic routes for February 2025. But airports in China rank among the busiest in this nation? Let’s find out.
10.Beijing Daxing International Airport
| Airport code | PKX |
| 2025 passenger activity | 2,268,911 |
| 2024 vs 2025 passenger activity | -0.2% |
Photo: Siyuwj|Wikimedia Commons
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Some of the unique features of PKX Airport are:
| Features | Details |
| Sustainability | 10% renewable energy, solar farms, rainwater collection, geothermal heating |
| Technology | Facial recognition, RFID baggage tracking, AI-powered inquiry robots |
| Phoenix-Shaped Terminal | Inspired by traditional Chinese architecture with six arms extending from the center. |
| Largest Single-Terminal Structure | Covers 700,000m², designed for efficient passenger movement. |
| Optimized Emergency Exits | 29 emergency egress stairs to reduce evacuation distance and prevent congestion. |
9.Chengdu Tianfu International Airport
| Airport code | TFU |
| 2025 passenger activity | 2,476,209 |
| 2024 vs 2025 passenger activity | -3.6% |
upper view of TFU Airport taken from Drone
Photo: FATIII Aviation |Wikimedia Commons
Some of the unique features of TFU Airport are:
| Features | Details |
| Largest civil airport | Built under China’s 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) |
| Dual-airport city | Chengdu became the 3rd Chinese city with two international airports |
| Runway capacity | 4F-level runway (4,000m × 75m) for large aircraft |
| High-tech integration | Over 30 new technologies installed |
| Future expansion | Planned to handle 120 million passengers annually |
8. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
| Airport code | SHA |
| 2025 passenger activity | 2,123,008 |
| 2024 vs 2025 passenger activity | -3.0% |
Aerial view of Hongqiao Airport
Photo: Yuezhi_Huang|Wikimedia Commons
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Some of the unique features of SHA Airport are as follows:
| Features | Details |
| Two-Terminal System | T1 serves mainly domestic and select international flights (Japan & Korea), while T2 handles major domestic carriers. |
| High Passenger Capacity | Expansion increased capacity to 40 million passengers and 1 million tons of cargo annually. |
| Advanced Transport Links | Connected to Shanghai Metro (Lines 2 & 10), Maglev (planned), and taxi services. |
| Modern Runways | Two runways: 3,400m and 3,300m, accommodating large aircraft like the A380. |
| Smart Facilities | Free high-speed WiFi, automated flight info displays, and extensive terminal amenities. |
7. Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport
| Airport code | CKG |
| 2025 passenger activity | 2,124,838 |
| 2024 vs 2025 passenger activity | -2.9% |
Photo: Juukeihc |Wikimedia Commons
Some of the unique features which are available in CKG Airport are :
| Features | Details |
| High Passenger & Cargo Capacity | Served 44.8 million passengers and handled 412,000 tons of cargo in 2019. |
| Smart Technology Integration | Features intelligent face recognition, self-service customs clearance, baggage tracking system, and robot assistants. |
| Cultural Experience & Ambiance | Showcases Chongqing’s history and traditions with digital displays, hand-drawn maps, and cultural events. |
| Eco-Friendly & Comfortable Design | Garden-style waiting areas, real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, and air quality for passenger comfort. |
| Recognized for Customer Service | Awarded “Best Environment and Ambience in Asia-Pacific” and “Best Customer Service in Asia-Pacific” for two consecutive years. |
6. Xi’an Xianyang International Airport
| Airport code | XIY |
| 2025 passenger activity | 2,182,576 |
| 2024 vs 2025 passenger activity | -4.3% |
Photo: shimin|Wikimedia Commons
Some of the unique features of XIY are:
| Features | Details |
| Terminal Expansion | 50,000 sqm expansion to accommodate increased passengers |
| Passenger Facilities | New boarding bridges, air conditioning systems, and baggage handling upgrades |
| Economic Significance | Aims to boost regional economy and establish a hub for Western China |
| Financing | Loan from Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) |
| Future Vision | Part of China’s five-year plan to develop a hub-and-spoke system |
5. Kunming Changshui International Airport
| Airport code | KMG |
| 2025 passenger activity | 2,267,138 |
| 2024 vs 2025 passenger activity | -6.0% |
Photo: නිපුන දොඩන්තැන්න|Wikimedia Commons
Some of the unique features of KMG Airport are:
| Features | Details |
| Passenger Capacity | 38 million annually (long-term: 80 million) |
| Cargo Capacity | 950,000 tons per year |
| Airlines | 17 major airlines, including China Eastern Yunnan, China Southern, Thai Airways, and Korean Air |
| Airport Standard | 4F (handles Airbus A380) |
| Terminals | Terminal 1 in operation, Terminal 2 expected by 2020 |
4.Shanghai Pudong International Airport
| Airport code | PVG |
| 2025 passenger activity | 2,240,605 |
| 2024 vs 2025 passenger activity | -4.0% |
Photo: Yuezhi_Huang|Wikimedia Commons
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Some of the unique features of PVG airport are:
| Features | Details |
| Departure Control System | Uses IBM hardware, SITA CUTE system for seat assignment and boarding |
| Technology | IBM Netfinity servers, OS/2 operating system, 366 workstations |
| Baggage Handling | SITA’s baggage enterprise system for baggage reconciliation |
| Online Booking System | First in China to meet international standards, ensuring secure transactions |
| Key Developers | China Eastern Airlines, IBM (China), Siemens, Fujitsu, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Unisys |
3.Beijing Capital International Airport
| Airport code | PEK |
| 2025 passenger activity | 2,741,756 |
| 2024 vs 2025 passenger activity | -2.6% |
Photo: Calvin411|Wikimedia Commons
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Some of the unique features of PEK Airport are:
| Features | Details |
| Technology & Services | Free unlimited WiFi, charging lockers, internet services, business centers, postal services |
| Passenger Amenities | Nursing rooms, children’s play area, dressing rooms, luggage storage, baggage carts, rest zones |
| Top Airlines | Air China, China Southern, China Eastern, Emirates, Lufthansa, American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, etc. |
| Top Destinations | Bangkok, Dubai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, Singapore, Tokyo Haneda, Toronto, etc. |
| Total Terminals | 3 (T1, T2, T3) |
2. Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
| Airport code | SZX |
| 2025 passenger activity | 2,776,848 |
| 2024 vs 2025 passenger activity | -5.1% |
Photo: Junyi Lou |Wikimedia Commons
Some of the unique features of SZX airport are :
| Features | Details |
| Multi-Modal Connectivity | Only airport in China integrating air, land, and sea transport. Connects flights with local ferries, express buses to Hong Kong & Macau. |
| Hub & Focus City | Hub for Shenzhen Airlines; Focus city for China Southern Airlines. |
| New Terminal 3 (T3) | Designed by Italian architects Fuksas; Geometric glass structure; Handles Airbus A380s. |
| Air-Sea Express | Offers seamless flight & TurboJET ferry tickets to Hong Kong/Macau. Includes baggage transfer |
| Shuttle & Remote Terminals | 22 remote terminals in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and beyond. |
1.Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
| Airport code | CAN |
| 2025 passenger activity | 2,818,226 |
| 2024 vs 2025 passenger activity | -17.3% |
Photo: Jacky Cheung |Wikimedia Commons
Some of the unique features of CAN Airport are :
| Features | Details |
| Passenger Capacity | 80+ million annually (by 2010) |
| Hub for | China Southern Airlines, Shenzhen Airlines |
| Expansion Plan | Multi-phase expansion until 2010 |
| Cargo Capacity | 2.5 million tons annually (by 2010) |
| Distance from City | 28 km (17.4 miles) from downtown Guangzhou |