An aerial view of Yantai Penglai International Airport's Terminal 2. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Terminal 2 of Yantai Penglai International Airport became the only Chinese airport to be named among the World's Most Beautiful Airports for 2025 by the Prix Versailles architecture awards.

The terminal was officially put into operation on June 28 this year. Serving as a gateway to the city, the terminal makes use of Yantai's mountains and seas in its design. With approximately 172,000 square meters of floor area, it is twice the size of Terminal 1, with three above-ground levels and one underground level.

Terminal 2 of Yantai airport houses a dedicated exhibition zone highlighting Yantai's wine culture. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In addition to its visual appeal, the terminal excels in smart technology. For instance, self-service kiosks enable contactless check-in and baggage drop, while millimeter-wave security scanners ensure efficient screening. Additionally, the terminal houses a dedicated exhibition zone highlighting Yantai's wine culture, celebrating the city's reputation as the "International Vine and Wine City".

Established in 2015 by UNESCO and the International Union of Architects, the Prix Versailles awards honor the world's most outstanding contemporary architectural projects. This year, only six airports worldwide made the list.

Passengers can enjoy a varied commercial experience at the new terminal. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Jérôme Gouadain, secretary general of the Prix Versailles, emphasized the significance of these new landmarks. "Orientated towards operational, ecological and aesthetic excellence, these hubs convey shared values, culture or even a tribute to the past, out of respect for the legacies left behind by earlier generations." 

He added that in the light of the planetary challenges facing us today, it is time for these expressive images of our contemporary heritage to be asserted as symbols of humankind's internal dialogue.