A photo of a plane flying in view of the moon taken from east Beijing. Photo: Courtesy of Tao Ran

When Beijing Daxing International Airport opened on September 25, photographer Tao Ran's weekends would never be the same. Tao used to drive to Beijing Capital International Airport every weekend with his tripod and camera to take photos of airplanes landing and taking off. He has since started shooting at Daxing, although he only goes once a month as "the airport is too far to go every week." 

Located in a southern suburb of the capital city, the new airport is connected with the city center via a highway and an extended subway line. Though the re-arrangement of flights to Daxing is still in process, the new airport will relieve transport pressure on the overloaded Beijing Capital International Airport and is expected to play a pivotal part in the integration of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei.

The starfish design of the airport has impressed many people in China and worldwide. "I love the aesthetic look! So modern, refreshing yet not too futuristic! Makes Heathrow [and] JFK looks like third world airports!" wrote Facebook user Ange Power. 

Global Times

Planes increasingly make use of the terminal building designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, and Tao, among other flight spotting enthusiasts, has regularly visited for months. The airport has spots around the airstrips that present natural photo opportunities. 

Airplane spotters are looking forward to more flights landing at Daxing so they can start a new round of "airplane collection" - taking photos of all aircraft of a certain airline, of a same aircraft model belonging to different airlines, or of aircraft with special painting. 

Daxing airport is an ideal place to take plane photos because it is surrounded by farmlands and undeveloped lands, providing  "great angles where photographers have [a] larger chance to catch the moment of an airplane taking off or flying above the terminal building without blocking," Jin Zeren, a plane spotter with three years of experience, told the Global Times. 

Tao likes Daxing because he wanted his picture to be a nice combination of aircraft and background.  Daxing offers a landmark terminal with clean backdrops. 

But great photos do not come without any expense. Plane spotters often used to say "if you want to screen planes at Daxing airport, buy an SUV before you go." 

Tao once had to spend 7,000 yuan ($995) to fix the underpan of his car after driving on the bumpy roads around the airport. That was before the official operation of the airport.  The roads are "way better" now, he said. 

The first thing Jin would do after a shoot at Daxing is washing his SUV. The highway is convenient and efficient in leading plane spotters to the airport area compared to one year ago when everything was still under construction, but "we have to jolt on the village roads to get to the shooting spots" and "reading satellite maps is a requirement," Jin said.

An airplane painted with a giant panda flies over West Lake Park near Beijing Capital International Airport. Photo: Courtesy of Tao Ran

More than an airport 

Daxing airport makes check-in and transfer more efficient and convenient, as only eight minutes on foot is needed to get from the center of the terminal to the farthest gate.  Moreover, it is also expected to become an active business and entertainment center, and a club for plane spotters. 

The airport, with its unusual terminal design and high-tech facilities has become a must-go since it is officially open for business. During the National Day golden week, some 80,000 travelers flew via the new hub while some 520,000 people went there to take photos marking their presence at the airport. Some food bloggers even made vlogs about restaurants and bakeries at the Daxing airport, piquing the interests of many Sina Weibo users. 

Daxing is expected to boost the development of southern Beijing and the regional integration, and "we can be part of that as we are branding its image as modern, efficient and lively," Jin said, noting more than 133 retail stores, 37 restaurants and 22 entertaining stores at Daxing compose a shopping center. 

For plane spotters, Daxing could be a new heaven as they find fewer regulations when photographing planes.

Airplane spotters reached by the Global Times complained that Beijing Capital International Airport in northeastern Beijing has been losing attraction as many ideal shooting spots are now sealed off, likely due to construction. 

Although uncommon in Beijing where airport operators "have gotten used to many plane spotters gathering and shooting," photography can be interrupted by airport staff in airports of smaller cities, politely or rudely. 

Jin recalled a few times when airport staff members came up to disperse photographers, sometimes asking them to delete the photos. "Never forget taking your ID with you," he said jokingly. 

Aerial photography uses drones and may pose danger to the flying security, but plane spotters are different. "As long as we stay outside the restricted area, I don't think shooting civilian planes photos will cause any problem," Jin said. 

Tao, however, noted some potential dangers. Some photographers use the handset radio to get flight schedules. Such radio waves can disturb flights.  

A common feeling by plane spotters is that photography should be regulated, but there is no need to be overly cautious. 

Jin, a student pursuing a master's in fine arts in the US, had some shooting experience in foreign airports. The airport in Los Angeles offers helicopter services to tourists as well as plane spotters and Japan's Tokyo International Airport has an outdoor observation deck for enthusiasts to watch and take photos of planes. 

"Plane photographers are gradually gaining public profiles and I hope that could lead to a more inclusive attitude toward aviation photography by the airport operators," said Jin. 

The inclusiveness of subculture and new phenomena represents the city as well as the country's open mind and confidence, he said.
Newspaper headline: Eyes on the sky