AKU → CTU

Taklamakan Desert

Extensive views of the 'Sea of Death' with its iconic shifting sand dunes stretching to the horizon.

Kunlun Mountains

The massive, jagged northern ramparts of the Tibetan Plateau, often visible with permanent snow cover.

Altun Shan Glaciers

High-altitude glacial features and remote, uninhabited mountain valleys visible during the mid-flight phase.

Minya Konka Distance

On clear days during the descent, the ultra-prominent peaks of the Daxue Shan range may be visible to the south.

Chengdu Plain

The dramatic drop-off from the 4,000m plateau to the lush, green, and densely populated Chengdu plains.

Tianshan Range

Dramatic views of the southern slopes of the 'Heavenly Mountains' immediately after departure from Aksu.

Gobi Edge

The stark transition between the Tarim Basin and the rocky desert landscapes of central Xinjiang.

Qilian Mountains

A long chain of snow-capped peaks that flank the flight path as you move toward the Gansu-Qinghai border.

Sichuan Basin Transition

The sudden disappearance of high peaks as the plane descends into the characteristic mist and clouds of the Sichuan Basin.