Yantai Penglai International Airport’s Terminal 2 has been recognised on the 2025 Prix Versailles list as one of the “World’s Most Beautiful Airports.”
Covering 167,000 square metres, the terminal was praised for its architectural integration of regional identity with functional design. This international airport serves the city of Yantai in East China’s Shandong province.
Developed by Aedas in collaboration with CSWADI and the Shanghai New Era Airport Design and Research Institute, the terminal’s form draws from Yantai’s coastal environment and the Kunyu Mountain range.
Its sweeping roofline and undulating shapes were conceived to reflect both movement and balance while complementing the surrounding landscape.
The terminal follows an E-shaped layout designed to optimise passenger flow and reduce alterations to the existing terrain. Flexibility was also prioritised, with operational spaces configured to adapt to varying needs over time.
A notable feature of Terminal 2 is its emphasis on natural light. A glazed diagrid dome sits above a multi-level atrium, distributing daylight across interior spaces. The design incorporates curved forms and material choices that mirror natural elements nearby, including reinterpretations of wooden ship hulls, referencing Yantai’s maritime history and its role along the Maritime Silk Road.
According to the designers, the terminal aims to symbolise openness and connection, serving as a new landmark for the Shandong Peninsula.
The list of airports recognised by Prix Versailles can be found here.
