Customs is extensive in China. We got to the bottom of the escalators, and turned right toward the signs saying "Foreigners". We rapidly came upon a large volume of people funneling itself into a roped-off course. We were informed that this was a line in China. You are supposed to insert yourself into the mass and work for a position in the stream of people going through the rope course. We did so, pushing and shoving just like everyone else in the "line". At the end of this first part of Customs we moved through a scanner of some kind. We then divided and made our way toward a pair of rope courses, each of which served several windows manned by agents. The agents would ask questions, and the people would give responses, get their stamp, and move on to baggage claim. This went on until it was your turn, and then you went to retrieve your check luggage.