Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is a powerful force and one of China's three major aviation hubs. Its passenger throughput has consistently ranked top nationwide for many years, with a route network connecting over 230 destinations worldwide.

In the 2025 Global Top 20 Most Valuable Airports list, it ranks 15th, with its brand value widely recognized in the global aviation industry.

The airport has since reached new heights. It welcomed 76.37 million passengers in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 20.9 percent. Cargo and mail throughput also hit a record 2.38 million metric tons, up 17.3 percent year-on-year.

Rendering of the T3 terminal. [Photo/WeChat account: gz_baiyunfabu]

Currently, the third-phase expansion project of Baiyun Airport is progressing rapidly, with the final inspection and acceptance entering the countdown phase.

This is the largest expansion project in China's civil aviation history, with the T3 terminal as its core highlight. Adopting a centralized main building with finger-shaped corridors, the design narrows the east and west wings, resembling a "slim waist", reducing passengers' walking distance.

"The architectural design takes the 'flower' as its central theme, incorporating Guangzhou's distinctive 'cloud mountains and pearl waters' and its identity as the 'City of Flowers'," said Chen Xiong, chief architect of the Guangdong Architectural Design and Research Institute and a national master of engineering design.

"We wanted this structure to become a garden-like landmark – a vibrant, inviting city lounge that embodies the spirit of Guangzhou," Chen added.

The terminal adopts a warm color palette – rare among China's large-scale airport terminals – replacing conventional industrial tones. Its interior and exterior garden landscapes span approximately 10,000 square meters – the largest of any domestic airport.

After the expansion is completed, the airport will enter the era of three floors and five runways, with six high-speed rail lines, three intercity lines, and Metro Line 22 converging, providing a direct connection to Guangzhou city center in 20 minutes and seamless access to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area in 30 minutes. The airport's annual passenger throughput capacity will exceed 120 million people, with a cargo throughput of 3.8 million metric tons.

The T3 terminal also integrates Lingnan culture with cutting-edge technology, featuring comprehensive facilities and innovative commercial space layout. It is poised to become a new urban landmark where technology and the humanities converge, creating high expectations for the future.