Xi'an Airport

The new airport is very clean and very efficient though a bit oversized and dull. They even have something of a tax-free section. The prices are quite high though. Overall a pleasant airport to spare some hours.

I travelled through Xian Airport on a 2 day side trip from Beijing from 11th to 13th March. The airport is new and impressive. I've travelled through about 40 airports worldwide and after quickly retrieving my bag from the luggage carousel the staff at Xian Airport were the first to check my receipt against the baggage tag. I'm not sure whether this is down to their efficiency or to the fact that the wrong bags have been taken in the past. Whatever the reason it was reassuring. I wish other airports would be as vigilant. There are numerous shuttle buses into the city available from the Arrivals area but I shared a taxi with a very hard bargaining Chinese lady who beat the taxi driver down to 100 yuan. (I'd expected to have to pay more than that on my own). I used the same taxi driver for the return trip at a previously agreed price of 80 yuan. The Departures Area is modern and clean. There's a reasonable restaurant and a few shops before security and some more shops airside. PA announcements are in Mandarin and English and are clear and frequent. It was a pleasure to travel through Xian Airport.