As I understand it, Beijing Capital Airport is considered the second busiest airport in the world, trailing Atlanta’s airport. As you can see from the picture below, this airport is HUGE and full of people, so steps have to be taken to keep the crowds moving in an efficient manner.
One way this airport has tried to become efficient for not only moving people, but also keeping expenses down, is to let people scan their tickets when going to the domestic boarding area. There are several lanes for this and airport employees are available to assist, if needed. It has been my experience that this system works very well, but make sure you have your boarding pass out before it is your turn to scan!
If your mind starts to drift and you are trying to remember what time it is at home (wherever home may be), this airport has a feature to help you. This global clock is very large and can be seen from a long distance away. So, if you want to know if it is an appropriate time to place a phone call to someone back home, you may want to consult the clock on the wall! I am sure anyone that is saved from a call which wakens them from a sound sleep will appreciate it very much!
Just so you will know, the round devices above the clock are air conditioner vents. In the summer you will want to look for these when selecting a seat, because it is quite warm in the airport during the summer months. If you have been running trying to make a connection in the summer, I promise you that you will want to find an air conditioner vent as soon as you can!