Japan Airlines
Business Class (C)
JL20: PEK-HND (Beijing to Tokyo Haneda)
25 May 2018
Boeing 767-300ER
JA651J
Seat 1K
Scheduled Departure: 8:25AM
Scheduled Arrival: 01:00PM


Final Thoughts on China
I didn't really have a clear idea of what to expect in Beijing. Our media tends to distort our perceptions of our own and other societies, but I always try to keep an open mind. I primarily assumed it would feel very different to the US; Hong Kong or Taiwan with a slightly more authoritarian flavor, perhaps. And that's really not what it was like at all. While there are certainly differences, I also noticed some striking similarities between China and the US. Specifically, the materialism, overt displays of wealth and attitude of cultural and linguistic imperialism are all traits that Americans and Chinese would seem to share.

The language (spoken and written) is by far the largest hurdle. English language proficiency was far less prevalent than I'd come to expect of a large cosmopolitan city, and it was harder to get by with English here than most anywhere else I've traveled thus far. Minsk was similarly difficult in this regard. I suspect that's how the US must feel to non-English/Spanish speakers when they come here.

Culturally, Beijing felt a bit like a large, sprawling NYC. Lots of people rushing from one place to the next, perhaps with a certain brusqueness at times (like NYC). People were generally friendly and were obviously accustomed to seeing lots of non-Chinese faces.

Apart from all that, Beijing felt like a very modern city that's rapidly growing and investing in itself. They're currently building a huge elevated high speed rail line into Beijing, for example. They're also building a third Beijing airport south of the city at Daxing and it's going to be the largest airport in the world when it opens next year. I've heard Shanghai is even more advanced, so I'm very much looking forward to a future trip there.

Leaving China
I'd initially planned to remain in Beijing until the morning of 26 May, flying to HKG that morning. With the cancellation of my Mongolia visit, I felt the need to see another city instead. It had to be somewhere (1) relatively nearby, (2) that I hadn't seen previously, and (3) I could fly to non-stop from PEK. Seoul and Tokyo were the natural choices. Initially, I toyed with the idea taking the bullet train to Shanghai and then flying PVG-HKG on 26 May, but I ultimately settled on a trip to Tokyo. Shanghai will have to wait until next time.

I was up early and quickly got ready and headed to the hotel lobby. I'd have preferred to take the train to the airport, but the Beijing metro doesn't operate at 5 AM so a car was the only choice. I used DiDi (the Chinese Uber) to order a car to the airport. He showed up a few minutes later and we were off. The trip was uneventful until the end.

Beijing 5AM DiDi Ride


Beijing 5AM DiDi Ride


Beijing 5AM DiDi Ride


Beijing 5AM DiDi Ride


Beijing 5AM DiDi Ride


Beijing 5AM DiDi Ride


Beijing 5AM DiDi Ride


Now, I'm used to apps like Uber, Grab and Lyft where I'm charged automatically at the end of the ride. DiDi doesn't work the same. You have to pay the driver (via the app, not cash) at the end of the ride and I just could not figure out how to do it -- the app is not well designed in that regard. Eventually, I found a screen entirely in Chinese and showed it to the driver. He clicked the button and then it asked me (in English) if I wanted to charge the ride to my credit card. I accepted and the payment went through. A bit nerve wracking, but it turned out ok.

I found the check-in counter, passed through immigration and security and eventually I was back in the T3E departures area. I paid a visit to the BGS contract lounge JAL uses and it was terrible. So I went to the Cathay Pacific Lounge instead and it was a bit better. Not great food options at either lounge, but I wasn't there long. Soon enough, it was time to board the flight to Tokyo.

J651J


J651J


Empty J Cabin



A few minutes later, a gentleman sat next to me in what I'd thought was an empty seat. Luckily, the FA intervened and told the fellow to go sit in his assigned seat one row behind. So I had an empty seat next to me for this flight, which is always nice.


Menu


Menu


Beijing from Above


Kiwi drink and rice crackers


Western Breakfast
It was decent. The potatoes and eggs were not good and I don't eat duck. But the fruit, yogurt and bread roll were fine. The "croissant" was a poor shadow of what a croissant should be.


Tokyo from Above


Tokyo Skytree in the distance obscured by smog


Handea Terminal




The flight was pretty uneventful overall. About half full in the front cabin. The seats aren't the best, but good enough for a short regional flight. I was even able to nap for an hour or so before I woke up for the descent. Service was pretty good. About what I've come to expect from JAL.