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CTU → URC
Which side of the plane to sit from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu) to Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport (Urumqi)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side is superior for this route as it provides an unobstructed front-row seat to the massive snow-capped peaks of the Qilian Mountains and the dramatic rise of the Tibetan Plateau's eastern edge.
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Longmen Mountains
Witness the dramatic transition where the flat Sichuan Basin suddenly meets the jagged, high-altitude eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
Qilian Mountain Range
Exquisite views of permanent glaciers and high-altitude peaks that separate the Hexi Corridor from the Tibetan Plateau.
Hami Desert Border
Aerial perspective of the stark, beautiful transition between the arid plains and the southern foothills of the Tianshan.
Eastern Tianshan
Rugged, alpine scenery as you approach Xinjiang, featuring sharp ridges and deep valleys characteristic of Central Asian mountains.
Book an afternoon flight to have the sun behind you, illuminating the Qilian glaciers with golden light. The transition from the green Sichuan basin to the brown and white mountains happens within the first 30 minutes of flight.
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Sichuan Basin Urban Sprawl
Comprehensive views of the dense urban development around Chengdu and the Min River valley shortly after takeoff.
Yellow River S-Curves
Visible as the flight passes north of Lanzhou, showing the great river carving through the loess landscape.
The Hexi Corridor
The historical Silk Road path is visible as a narrow string of green oases and cities amidst the surrounding desert.
Bogda Peak
The highest peak in the eastern Tianshan (5,445m), which is a spectacular sight on the right side during the final descent into Urumqi.
Sit on the right for morning flights to avoid the harsh direct sun. Keep your camera ready during the last 20 minutes of the flight; Bogda Peak is one of the most iconic mountain views in China and is most prominent on this side.
Book Hotels in UrumqiDistance: 2,071 km (1,287 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 46 min
Departure: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Arrival: URC (43.90710067749024, 87.47419738769531)
Route Type: Domestic
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