Getting there

A side effect of the modern economy, there are now many ways to reach China. I took NWA first to Tokyo and then on to Shanghai's Pudong airport. Next year, we'll have direct flights to both Shanghai and Beijing from Seattle.

First traveling north over Lake Washington with Bellevue to the east and Mount Baker to the north.

We then headed west over the sound and past the Olympics where there is still some traces of snow on the peaks.

Around Japan, there was the inevitable cloud and turbulence.

Aside from the visa shenanigans, entering China has actually got a little easier - just an entry card (like the US I94) and that's it. There used to be a health form (do you have anything contagious - answer yes and you'll be quarantined) and a customs form.