Daxing 大兴区 — Wildlife Adventures & Aviation Marvel
Daxing (大兴区) is Beijing's rapidly developing southern district, best known for the spectacular Beijing Daxing International Airport — a starfish-shaped architectural marvel. Beyond aviation, Daxing offers one of Beijing's most popular wildlife parks with drive-through safaris, and is famous across China for its watermelons. The district is transforming from agricultural land into a modern hub while maintaining its rural charm and natural attractions.
One of Beijing's top family attractions, featuring over 10,000 animals across 200 species in a 3,600-mu natural setting. The park offers a unique drive-through safari experience where lions, tigers, bears, and wolves roam freely — you view them from the safety of your car or the park's caged bus. The walking zone features giraffe feeding, elephant shows, bird aviaries, and a petting zoo. Special experiences include animal encounters and feeding sessions. The park is well-maintained with clean facilities, multiple dining options, and electric cart rentals. Allow a full day for a thorough visit.
Hours: 8:30–17:00 (summer) / 9:00–16:00 (winter)
Admission: ¥115–160 (adult, varies by season). Drive-through bus ¥50 additional. Children under 1.2m free.
Zaha Hadid's posthumous masterpiece, often called "the starfish airport" for its five-finger terminal design. Opened in 2019, it's one of the world's largest single-terminal airports and an architectural wonder. The vast 700,000-square-meter terminal features a stunning honeycomb ceiling that floods the space with natural light. Even if you're not flying, it's worth a visit just to admire the architecture. The airport also features a duty-free shopping zone, restaurants, and an observation deck. Take the airport express train (Daxing Airport Express) for a scenic connection to central Beijing.
Hours: Airport operates 24 hours. Terminal open 6:00–23:00 for visitors.
Admission: Free to visit terminal. Airport Express ¥40 from Caoqiao Station.
A unique wetland park dedicated to the Père David's deer (麋鹿, milu), a species that was extinct in China for nearly 100 years before being reintroduced from European zoos. The park covers 6,000 hectares and is now home to over 100 wild milu deer roaming freely. The park features wetlands, grasslands, forests, and walking/biking trails. Other wildlife includes peacocks, swans, and various waterfowl. Educational exhibits tell the remarkable story of the milu deer's near-extinction and successful reintroduction. A peaceful nature experience close to the city.
Hours: 8:00–17:00 (Apr–Oct) / 8:30–16:00 (Nov–Mar)
Admission: Free (park). Some exhibitions ¥10.
The world's only museum dedicated to watermelons. Located in Panggezhuang Town, the watermelon capital of China, the museum showcases the history, cultivation, and varieties of watermelons across 2,000 years. Exhibits include watermelon specimens from around the world, ancient agricultural tools, and interactive displays. The surrounding area hosts an annual Watermelon Festival (late May) where you can taste and buy dozens of watermelon varieties. It's a quirky but genuinely interesting stop — and the area's watermelons are among China's finest.
Hours: 9:00–16:00 (closed Mondays)
Admission: ¥20