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CTU → BPX
Which side of the plane to sit from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu) to Qamdo Bangda Airport (Bangda)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides the most iconic views of the 'King of Sichuan Mountains,' Gongga Shan, and the dramatic vertical relief of the southern Hengduan ranges.
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Gongga Shan (Minya Konka)
The highest peak in Sichuan at 7,556m, dominating the skyline with its massive pyramid-shaped summit.
Dadu River Canyon
Deeply incised river valleys carving through the steep granite mountains of the eastern plateau.
Hengduan Glaciers
Ancient ice flows and high-altitude snowfields that feed the major river systems of Southeast Asia.
Zheduo Mountain Range
The dramatic transition zone where the Sichuan Basin meets the high Tibetan Plateau.
Book an early morning flight (before 10:00 AM) to catch the sun illuminating the eastern faces of Gongga Shan. Sit behind the wing for an unobstructed downward view of the deep gorges. In winter, the visibility is usually much higher than during the summer monsoon season.
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Mount Siguniang
The 'Four Sisters Mountain' massif, featuring jagged peaks that are frequently visible shortly after takeoff.
Jinsha River (Upper Yangtze)
The winding, silt-heavy waters of the upper Yangtze cutting through the northern Hengduan Mountains.
Kham Highlands
High-altitude alpine meadows and nomadic pastures characteristic of the eastern Tibetan region.
Bangda Plateau
The desolate and vast plateau surrounding BPX, home to one of the highest and longest runways in the world.
Look out the window immediately after the initial climb from Chengdu to spot the Siguniang range to the northwest. This side offers better lighting in the late afternoon. Be prepared for a very high-altitude landing approach where the terrain remains close to the aircraft for an extended period.
Book Hotels in BangdaDistance: 655 km (407 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 6 min
Departure: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Arrival: BPX (30.553600311279297, 97.1082992553711)
Route Type: Domestic
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