← Back to home

Day 1 · Jul 14, 2026
CTU→SZX

Shenzhen · Bao'an International

THEME
RAIN
SEAT
01A

The Hotel Is the Spot

Wheels up from Chengdu at 06:30, on the ground at Bao’an by 09:00 — this flight was cheaper than the later one and bought me a whole extra morning of shooting.

The most important decision of the day was made before departure: stay at the Bao’an airport hotel, in a room facing the airfield. The logic wasn’t “close to the airport” — it was “the room is the spotting position.” Rain or shine.

It rained. While everyone else packed up, I shot the entire wet-apron series from behind my window: reflections spreading across the concrete, an AirAsia pushback, Shenzhen Airlines taxiing past, freighters departing into the murk. The rain wasn’t the enemy of these photos — it was their visual language.

One decision, validated the same day. And this window had a bigger job waiting for it tomorrow.

Photo Log · SZX
The apron after rain. An AirAsia A320 on pushback as a Shenzhen Airlines jet taxis past, ground crew walking through the wet reflections.
TYPE A320 familyAIRLINE AirAsia / Shenzhen AirlinesSPOT Airport hotel · room window

The apron after rain. An AirAsia A320 on pushback as a Shenzhen Airlines jet taxis past, ground crew walking through the wet reflections.

A Shenzhen Airlines A350 climbing out — the most powerful frame of the day.
TYPE A350-900AIRLINE Shenzhen AirlinesREG B-32FISPOT Airport hotel · room window

A Shenzhen Airlines A350 climbing out — the most powerful frame of the day.

Star Alliance livery gliding along the wet taxiway.
TYPE A319/A320AIRLINE Shenzhen Airlines · Star Alliance liverySPOT Airport hotel · room window

Star Alliance livery gliding along the wet taxiway.

The brightest splash of colour on the apron.
TYPE 737-800AIRLINE Hainan Airlines · special liverySPOT Airport hotel · room window

The brightest splash of colour on the apron.

A freighter departing into the rain, yellow-and-red cutting through the grey.
TYPE 777FAIRLINE Central AirlinesSPOT Airport hotel · room window

A freighter departing into the rain, yellow-and-red cutting through the grey.

A Saudia 777 with gear coming up — Middle East routes are daily business at Shenzhen.
TYPE 777AIRLINE SaudiaSPOT Airport hotel · room window

A Saudia 777 with gear coming up — Middle East routes are daily business at Shenzhen.

A 787-9 under tow, ground crew moving beneath the wing.
TYPE 787-9AIRLINE Hainan AirlinesSPOT Airport hotel · room window

A 787-9 under tow, ground crew moving beneath the wing.

An all-white 737-400 freighter — an old-timer still working in the rain.
TYPE 737-400FSPOT Airport hotel · room window

An all-white 737-400 freighter — an old-timer still working in the rain.

Departing into the curtain of rain.
TYPE A320SPOT Airport hotel · room window

Departing into the curtain of rain.

Spotting guide for this airport →