In February, Beijing plans to open its spanking new airport terminal. The Chinese capital's new gateway to the skies was shown to the world last week after a 3 1/2-year sprint to construct the world's biggest airport complex for the 2008 Olympics. With 245 acres of floor space, the huge Terminal 3 of Capital Airport is expected to strengthen its position as a transport hub. With 66 million passengers forecast next year, it will jump from the ninth- to third-busiest airport. Designed by British architect Norman Foster, the building has a spectacular glass wall entrance and high ceiling like Hong Kong's Chep Lap Kok. The bright colors found in the Forbidden City appear in its tapering red pillars and the brown-gold roof shaped like the back of a dragon. Building is expected to be finished by the end of this year.

— Chris Oliver

NEW YORK

HOMAGE TO CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Ozukuri, ("thousand blooms") is a single chrysanthemum trained to produce hundreds of simultaneous blossoms in a massive, dome-shaped array. Ozukuri blooms require at least 12 months to train and are planted in custom-built wood containers called sekidai. At The New York Botanical Garden's exhibition "Kiku: The Art of Japanese Chrysanthemums," visitors will see ozukuri, as well as ogiku- and kengai-style displays in the largest kiku exhibition seen outside of Japan, and the most elaborate presented by the garden in its 116-year history. Kiku is part of the garden's celebration of Japanese art and culture. Oct. 20-Nov. 18. The New York Botanical Garden, 200th Street and Kazimiroff Boulevard, Bronx. Ticket information: www.nybg.org.

— Chris Oliver

FRANCE

MAIS OUI! ROLLING ALONG IN PARIS

It started as a group of friends getting together to explore the city; now more than 10,000 roller-skaters gather at 10 p.m. at the Place Raoul Dautry in Montparnasse every Friday night for a three-hour thrash around the streets. About 30 police officers — on motorbikes or wearing inline skates — stop traffic and ensure the route is clear. The 18-mile route sounds energetic, but you can
always bail out halfway for a restorative pastis. This being Paris, things can get a little philosophical — organizer Pari-Roller calls the tour
"a space of freedom." It's free and takes place year-round, unless it's raining. See pari-roller.com (in French).

— Advertiser staff