Made it! I’ve been to Shanghai before, but the airport always manages to impress me, the sheer size, the tall ceilings, the long halls, and the endless flow of people. 😄

Pro tip: Even if you don’t have access to an airline lounge through miles or status, sometimes you can pay a small fee to upgrade your entry. With a 4-hour layover, there’s no better place to wait than an air-conditioned lounge with all-you-can-eat snacks and drinks. Definitely beats crowding into a pricey airport café.

Language barrier? Still very real. But you’d be surprised how far a few hand gestures and a kind smile will go. And when someone greets you with a cheerful “Hello!”, like the young woman who helped check me in for my next flight, it really does make your day. Not perfect, but better than miming your way through check-in!

Domestic terminals in China feel a little different from the international ones — fewer Starbucks and Western comforts,, more local character. I spotted a woman wearing a big “Dickies” shirt and couldn’t help but wonder if she knows the brand or just liked the colors. 😊

Time to grab a bite before heading to my gate for the last hop of today’s journey. Almost there. Next stop Dalian.