The bludgeoning that is a solid travel schedule is somewhat dulled by access to airport lounges, each with their own take on what passengers want to escape from the throng, and their own take on premium service. China’s airport lounges are generally modest affairs e.g. Chengdu (pictured) where the VIPesque nature is communicated through a room, a herd of large sofas and this being China, doilies.

For all the equalitarianism that many foreigners still associated with China – I’ve not experienced another culture where so many (service) spaces are so obviously segmented for those who are willing to pay more with ‘VIP’ lounges showing up en masse in train stations, airports and ski resorts.