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CGD destination photo
SZX destination photo

CGDSZX

Our Recommendation
8.2

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers a superior vantage point for the sacred Mount Heng and provides a more direct view of the dense Shenzhen urban sprawl and eastern Pearl River Delta landscapes during the final descent.

Left Side Highlights
8.2
🏞️

Dongting Lake Basin

Expansive views of the fertile wetlands and agricultural plains of northern Hunan shortly after takeoff.

🏔️

Mount Heng (Hengshan)

Visual access to one of China's Five Sacred Mountains, known as the 'Southern Mountain', in central Hunan.

🏙️

Changsha Perimeter

Distal views of the skyscrapers and rapid urban development surrounding the Hunan provincial capital.

⛰️

Nanling Mountain Range

Rugged limestone and granite peaks forming the natural geographic border between Hunan and Guangdong.

🌇

Shenzhen Urban Grid

A grand view of the incredible building density and high-rises of the eastern Pearl River Delta upon approach.

Book a window seat on the left for morning flights to avoid direct sunlight while capturing the silhouette of Mount Heng. This side is also preferred during the standard northern arrival into SZX for views of the Futian and Nanshan skylines.

Right Side Highlights
7.5
🌊

Yuan River Meanders

Scenic views of the winding river systems and water bypasses surrounding Changde during the initial climb.

🎑

Hunan Highlands

Patchwork patterns of terraced farming and traditional villages tucked into the southern Hunan hill country.

🏙️

Guangzhou Skyline

On clear days, the iconic Canton Tower and the CBD of Zhujiang New Town are visible to the west.

🌉

Pearl River Estuary

The vast water gateway and massive bridge infrastructure connecting the western and eastern delta regions.

🏟️

SZX Terminal 3

An excellent close-up view of the architecturally striking honeycomb structure of the airport during final taxiing.

Select the right side for afternoon flights to enjoy the sunset over the Pearl River Estuary. Keep a sharp eye out as you cross the Guangdong border; the transition from rural mountains to the industrial mega-hub of the PRD is visually dramatic from this side.

Top Activities in Shenzhen
Route Information

Distance: 731 km (454 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 13 min

Departure: CGD (28.9188995361, 111.63999939)

Arrival: SZX (22.639299392700195, 113.81099700927734)

Route Type: Domestic

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