Create meetup in Beijingchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
want to meet at fmd_good Foodland
want to meet at fmd_good City Market
want to meet at fmd_good Market Square
explore Beijing Guides
bar_chart Trends in Beijing
Beijing Air Base Mystery
The locals around Shahezhen will tell you the same thing, there's no real vantage point and the perimeter road is watched, so don't risk it. If you're set on seeing military jets in the air, your better bet is to check the flight schedules for the nearby civil airports, because military traffic sometimes shares the approach corridors, especially in the early morning. I'd also suggest the China Aviation Museum at Datangshan, it's worth the trip out west, they have a J-8 and a bunch of old MiGs you can actually walk around, plus a few underground hangars that are pretty cool. And for the Military Museum, skip the main hall if you're short on time, the outdoor display area near the back has the real hardware, including a few fighters you can get close to.
honestly the shahezhen area is mostly flat farmland and industrial zones, so there's no real hill to get a clean view. the base is ringed by walls and trees, and the airspace around it is tightly controlled. your best bet is actually the observation deck at terminal 2 of capital airport if your flight path comes in from the north, you might catch a glimpse of the runway pattern, but it's pure luck.
if you really want jet action, skip the base and head to the aviation museum at datangshan, it's a bit out west but they've got old migs and a j-8 on static display. the military museum is cool but it's mostly history, not hardware up close. also, don't bother with binoculars near the base, the police patrol that road regularly and they don't love people loitering.
best photo spots in beijing?
olympic forest park is slept on fr. the linden trees along the main axis go gold in late october and the bird's nest reflection in the lake at sunrise is nuts, barely anyone there on weekdays. also check out 798 art district on a weekday morning, the old factory pipes and graffiti make great contrast shots. tbh bring a wider lens than u think you need, everything in beijing is bigger than it looks in photos
everyone goes for the big landmarks but honestly the best shots i got were from the overpasses on the 3rd ring road at dusk, just traffic light trails with CCTV tower lit up in the background. also guomao at blue hour from the silk street footbridge, the CBD towers all glassy & orange, tripod helps cuz u need a slow shutter. one thing nobody mentions, air quality totally changes your photos so check the AQI app the night before, a clear day after rain is worth waiting for
For sunrise the Temple of Heaven east gate area is underrated, locals doing tai chi around 5:30am with the morning fog, way better than fighting crowds at Tiananmen. For sunset honestly just walk along the canal near Shichahai, the reflections off the water with the Drum Tower behind are hard to beat. Bring a tripod if you can, the good light only lasts like 20 mins this time of year.
load 1 more reply