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CTU → HAN
Which side of the plane to sit from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu) to Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft offers a more dramatic perspective of the rugged eastern Tibetan Plateau fringes and the iconic Mount Fansipan as you enter Vietnamese airspace.
Hengduan Ranges
Look west for distant views of the snow-capped peaks that mark the eastern edge of the Great Himalayan massif.
Jinsha River Gorges
Glimpse the upper reaches of the Yangtze River as it winds through massive mountain canyons in northern Yunnan.
Kunming Plateau
View the high-altitude landscapes surrounding Yunnan's capital and the northern tip of Dianchi Lake.
Mount Fansipan
Identify the highest peak in Indochina, often rising above a blanket of clouds as you descend toward Hanoi.
Black River Reservoir
See the vast, branching waters of the Song Da reservoir nestled between the Hoang Lien Son mountains.
The right side is superior for mountain lovers; choose a morning flight to have the sun behind you, illuminating the peaks of western Sichuan and Mount Fansipan without glare.
Sichuan Basin Transition
Watch the urban landscape of Chengdu transform into the rolling agricultural hills of the southern Sichuan Basin.
Wumeng Mountains
View the sharp limestone karst formations and deep valleys typical of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau border.
Red River Valley
Follow the silt-rich Red River as it carves a path from the Chinese highlands toward the Gulf of Tonkin.
Lao Cai Border
Observe the densely forested border region where the mountains begin to soften into the northern Vietnamese highlands.
Hanoi Northern Suburbs
See the rapid industrial development and intricate canal systems surrounding Noi Bai International Airport.
Opt for the left side if you enjoy observing the transition from high-altitude karst terrain to the lush, green deltas of Vietnam; morning flights offer softer lighting for these green landscapes.
Distance: 1,057 km (657 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 25 min
Departure: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Arrival: HAN (21.221200942993164, 105.80699920654295)
Route Type: International
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