Other Asian, Australian and South Pacific Frequent Flyer Programs - 5 hours layover

I will flying to HKG with AIR CHINA in January and one of my layover will be short of 6 hours. I guess I do not need a visa, any chance to go to Beijing for a noodle soup and then back at the airport?
I land at 8.30 pm and the flight to LGW is at about 2.00 am.
I chose this route over TK(same price £ 488) just for T3.How is the experience on Air China?
Thanks

You don't need a visa. And you can leave the airport, the question here is one of time. Assuming your incoming is on-time, you'll probably be through formalities by 9:00-9:15 pm. I think you do have time to go into town as long as you keep to the near northeast side. If you want to use the Airport Express light rail system, you could get off at Sanyuanqiao, switch to Subway Line 10 going south and end up either one stop later and get something in the Liangmaqiao area, or 3 stops and get something in the Sanlitun area. There are also plenty of options if you get off the Airport Express at the terminus (Dongzhimen Transport Hub). "Ghost Street" (evening and late night eateries) starts on the other side of the big intersection fronting the Transport Hub, so maybe that's your best bet for choosing from among cheap and tasty eats.

The Airport Express last trains are around 10:00-10:30 pm, so it's viable to get you into town but not to get you back to airport. Taxis are hit-and-miss finding an empty, so don't wait until the last minute. There are Airport Shuttle Buses running but you'd need to know where to catch--there is a major stop across from the Dongzhimen Transport Hub on the SE side of the big intersection (heading eastbound side). Usually at that time of evening, there will be empty taxis waiting near this bus stop also. You'll need to be back at Terminal 3 about 12:30 assuming your luggage is checked through and you have a boarding pass; otherwise, make it midnight 12:00.

If flying in a premium cabin, you'll have access to CA's Lounge. Or if flying economy and a Star Gold, also have access. The CA lounge in international area closes at 01:00 I believe. You can hang out there, but likely their food/hot snack service will be over, and you'll have lackluster dry snacks only. In the front (non-secure) side of Terminal 3 there are some restaurants to choose from (both fast food and sit down, Chinese and western), in case you decide not to leave the airport. PEK's not the greatest to hang out in, but your layover is just borderline as to the stay vs go decision. Note: if your incoming is late and you are 10:00 or later getting past the transit desk for stamping, I'd suggest just staying at the airport.

Thank you for all the info. I will try to change my HKG-PEK flight to a morning one, I saw there are quite a few ones. Pity I did not think of that before. I was told you do need a visa to leave the airport, even under the 24 hours rule. I think I can change one flight without any penalties, but even £100 is worth to spend a few hours in Beijing.

I will flying to HKG with AIR CHINA in January and one of my layover will be short of 6 hours. I guess I do not need a visa, any chance to go to Beijing for a noodle soup and then back at the airport?
I land at 8.30 pm and the flight to LGW is at about 2.00 am.
I chose this route over TK(same price £ 488) just for T3.How is the experience on Air China?
Thanks

Most of my friends/colleagues who spend a lot of time flying in/out of PEK strongly prefer T2 over T3 because it is far more efficient wrt to both departures and arrivals. The fact T3's architecture is arguably cool, is overshadowed by its shoddy construction, long walks, slow baggage delivery, and dreadful food/lounges (T2 is no better in this category; however, you generally don't have to endure as much time there because of the shorter check-in deadlines). In either case, I advise all to minimize their airport time when in Beijing; even a 3-hour layover presents opportunities to leave (sure, maybe you can only get as far as the Hilton, but even this is preferable to hanging around the CA lounge IMO).