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CTU → KMG
Which side of the plane to sit from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu) to Kunming Changshui International Airport (Kunming)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers breathtaking panoramas of the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, featuring dramatic snow-capped peaks and the deep river gorges of the Hengduan Mountains.
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Gongga Shan (Minya Konka)
On clear days, the highest peak in Sichuan (7,556m) is visible in the distance, towering over the horizon.
Dadu River Canyon
View the dramatic, steep-walled gorges carved by the Dadu River as it winds through the mountains.
Hengduan Mountains
A spectacular sequence of north-south running mountain ranges with jagged, snow-dusted ridges.
Jinsha River (Upper Yangtze)
The mighty Jinsha River can be seen snaking through narrow valleys as it marks the border between provinces.
Dianchi Lake
During the final descent into Kunming, the vast expanse of China's sixth-largest freshwater lake appears to the south.
Sit behind the wing for unobstructed views of the high-altitude terrain. Flights departing in the afternoon provide the best lighting for the western mountain ranges. Visibility is significantly better during the winter months when the air is dryer and the peaks are covered in fresh snow.
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Chengdu Urban Landscape
Aerial view of the sprawling capital of Sichuan Province immediately after takeoff from Shuangliu.
Sichuan Basin Farmlands
Vast stretches of terraced agriculture and the distinctive red soil typical of the 'Red Basin' region.
Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau
The transition from the flat basin into the rugged, karst-influenced hills of northern Yunnan.
Kunming Northern Suburbs
The final approach provides views of the expanding urban sprawl and industrial zones north of Kunming.
For the best experience on the left, choose a morning flight to avoid the direct afternoon sun glare. The terrain is less dramatic than the west side but offers a great perspective on the population density and agricultural patterns of the Sichuan Basin.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 617 km (383 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 2 min
Departure: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Arrival: KMG (25.101944399999997, 102.9291667)
Route Type: Domestic
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