We kick off our four-part look at Beijing's three new freeways that opened June 21, 2008 today with Part One of the series.

Here are four airport-related freeway hints, now that the Airport South Freeway and the 2nd Airport Freeway are open...

1. CBD and Jingtong Expressway users now have a newer, faster link to the airport. Use the 2nd Airport Expressway.

To get to the 2nd Airport Expressway, take the eastern 5th Ring Road until Pingfang Bridge. Take Yaojiayuan Road with the "(机场第二高速)" bit -- or head east.

If you're going to Terminals 1 or 2, make sure to head west towards to the Airport Freeway when you reach Exit 1 on the 2nd Airport Freeway. Follow the signs -- and turn right at Exit 3 on the Airport South Freeway.

If you're going to Terminal 3 -- go straight ahead at Exit 1.

2. If coming from central Beijing via the old Airport Freeway, be sure to exit at Exit 4 on the Airport South Freeway if headed to T3.

Before the entire Airport South Freeway was open, it was easy to get to T3 -- roadworks forced your way to the new terminal. Now, though, if you continue right ahead at exit 4 without leaving the Airport South Freeway, you head to -- Pinggu, home of the peaches. A juicy mistake, perhaps.

3. If coming from T3 and bound for central Beijing: If you make a mistake and happen to miss Exit 3 (bound for central Beijing via the Airport Freeway), it's OK to continue ahead. You'll reach Beijing via the Jingcheng Freeway.

In fact, if you live near Laiguangying or Wangjing (especially in the northern part of Wangjing), or are headed for the Olympic Green, this is precisely the route you're after.

4. Do not shift into reverse gear on the freeway.

If you miss your exit, head on until you reach the next available exit, then do a U-turn. Don't ever think of reversing on the freeway -- it's dangerous, and it's also against the law!

Tomorrow: The Jingping Freeway