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CTU → PEK
Which side of the plane to sit from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu) to Beijing Capital International Airport (Beijing)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior view of the dramatic shift from the lush Sichuan Basin to the rugged Min Mountains and the intricate, erosion-carved patterns of the Loess Plateau, typically with more favorable sun angles on afternoon flights.
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Min Mountains
Shortly after takeoff, view the snow-capped peaks of the Minshan range marking the edge of the Tibetan Plateau.
Loess Plateau
Observe the unique and deeply eroded yellow-earth landscapes of Shaanxi province, showing incredible geological texture.
Lüliang Mountains
A prominent mountain range in Shanxi providing a rugged contrast to the surrounding plateau regions.
Sanggan River Valley
A significant waterway that winds through the northern valleys as the flight nears the Hebei border.
Yan Mountains
As you descend into Beijing, the jagged peaks of the Yan Mountains and potential glimpses of Great Wall sections appear.
Choose the left side for afternoon flights to avoid direct glare while seeing the plateau's textures highlighted by shadows. During winter, look for the stark contrast of snow on the Loess terraces. Keep your window blind open during the final 30 minutes for the best mountain terrain views before landing.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for ChinaQinling Mountains
View the massive natural boundary that separates Northern and Southern China shortly after leaving the Sichuan Basin.
Wei River Valley
The historic heart of Chinese civilization, home to ancient capitals, visible in the distance as you pass Shaanxi.
Taihang Mountains
Dramatic vertical cliffs and deep canyons that form the eastern boundary of the Shanxi Plateau.
North China Plain
A vast expanse of agricultural patchwork that signals the approach into the greater Beijing-Tianjin region.
Beijing Cityscape
On standard southern arrivals into PEK, the right side often catches views of the sprawling city and the CBD skyscrapers.
The right side is best for morning flights to see the Qinling mountains illuminated by the rising sun. If the flight path approaches PEK from the south, this side offers the most consistent views of Beijing's urban expansion. Watch for the sharp ridgelines of the Taihang range midway through the flight.
Book Hotels in BeijingDistance: 1,556 km (967 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 4 min
Departure: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Arrival: PEK (40.0801010131836, 116.58499908447266)
Route Type: Domestic
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