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CTU → DCY
Which side of the plane to sit from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu) to Daocheng Yading Airport (Daocheng)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a spectacular and close-up view of Mount Gongga (Minya Konka), the highest peak in Sichuan, and the dramatic transition from the Sichuan Basin to the Tibetan Plateau.
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Mount Gongga
Known as the King of Sichuan Mountains, this 7,556m peak is the star of the flight, visible shortly after reaching cruising altitude.
Hailuogou Glacier
Witness the massive low-altitude glaciers and ice falls clinging to the eastern slopes of the Daxue Mountains.
Sichuan Basin Cloud Sea
Experience the dramatic contrast as the plane pierces through the perpetual basin fog into the brilliant blue plateau sky.
Zheduo Mountain Range
View the rugged peaks that serve as the traditional geographic boundary between Han Chinese and Tibetan regions.
High Altitude Monasteries
Glimpses of remote Tibetan Buddhist structures perched on mountainsides during the descent into Daocheng.
Book a window seat behind the wing (rows 15-22 on most A319/A320s) for the best views of Mount Gongga. Most flights depart CTU in the early morning; the low sun angle often creates a 'Golden Mountain' effect on the snow-capped peaks. Keep your camera ready approximately 25 minutes after takeoff.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for ChinaMount Siguniang
On very clear days, the Four Sisters Mountain range is visible in the distance to the north.
Tagong Grasslands
Expansive views of the high-altitude rolling prairies and nomadic grazing lands.
Yalong River Gorges
Deep, narrow river valleys cutting through the high plateau landscape.
Tibetan Stone Houses
Clusters of traditional Khampa architecture scattered across the valleys as the plane nears DCY airport.
The right side is better for viewing the vastness of the plateau rather than specific high peaks. If the flight is mid-morning, this side avoids the direct glare of the sun. It is an excellent choice for observing the unique 'checkerboard' patterns of the high-altitude landscape and the winding roads of the 318 National Highway.
Book Hotels in DaochengDistance: 400 km (249 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 40 min
Departure: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Arrival: DCY (29.323056, 100.053333)
Route Type: Domestic
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