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CTU → AMS
Which side of the plane to sit from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides a front-row seat to the dramatic Tian Shan mountain range and the crossing over the Ural Mountains, marking the boundary between Asia and Europe.
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Tian Shan Mountains
Incredible snow-capped peaks and massive glaciers including Jengish Chokusu are visible shortly after crossing into Xinjiang.
Lake Balkhash
A massive crescent-shaped lake in Kazakhstan, distinct for its varying water chemistry and blue-green hues.
Ural Mountains
The natural geographic boundary between Asia and Europe appears as a long, weathered mountain chain.
Volga River
Cross the longest river in Europe near the Samara Bend, seeing its wide, winding path through the Russian landscape.
Dutch Coastline
Upon descent, enjoy views of the North Sea coast and the unique reclaimed polders of the Netherlands.
For the best experience, choose a seat ahead of the wing to avoid engine heat distortion. The primary highlight occurs approximately 3 to 4 hours into the flight when passing the Tian Shan range. Since the flight travels west, the right side stays in the shade for most of the journey, significantly reducing glare on the window and making photography much easier throughout the long haul.
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Taklamakan Desert
Observe the vast 'Sea of Death' with its intricate sand dune patterns stretching across the Tarim Basin.
Kunlun Range
Catch distant glimpses of the northern ramparts of the Tibetan Plateau as you exit western China.
Caspian Sea
View the southern expanse of the world's largest inland body of water as the flight enters the European threshold.
Central European Plains
The landscape transforms into a dense patchwork of agricultural fields across Poland and Germany.
Expect intense sunlight as you follow the sun's path westward. This side is perfect for observing the shifting colors of the Taklamakan Desert and the Caspian Sea. Use a polarizer if photographing to cut through the atmospheric haze and window reflections caused by the high-altitude sun. On winter flights, the low sun angle can create stunning shadows on the desert floor.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for NetherlandsDistance: 7,942 km (4,935 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 21 min
Departure: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Arrival: AMS (52.308601, 4.76389)
Route Type: International
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