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DCY â CTU
Which side of the plane to sit from Daocheng Yading Airport (Daocheng) to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a spectacular front-row seat to the highest peaks in Sichuan, including the Yading holy mountains and the massive Gongga Shan massif.
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Yading Holy Mountains
Stunning immediate views of Chenresig, Jambeyang, and Chanadorje just south of the airport after takeoff.
Haizi Mountain
An otherworldly landscape of massive boulders and hundreds of glacial lakes resembling a lunar surface.
Gongga Shan (Minya Konka)
The 'King of Sichuan Mountains' at 7,556m dominates the skyline mid-flight with its massive glaciers.
Lhagang Grasslands
Aerial views of the Tagong area, including high-altitude monasteries and nomadic settlements.
Zheduo Mountain Range
The final major mountain barrier before the descent, often featuring dramatic cloud waterfalls.
Sit on the right for the most iconic landmarks. The highlight is Gongga Shan; it will appear about halfway through the flight. Since DCY is one of the world's highest airports, flights are almost always in the morning to avoid turbulence; this means the sun will be behind you on the right, providing perfect lighting for photography of the snow peaks.
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Litang High Plateau
Vast, undulating golden grasslands and high-altitude marshes typical of the eastern Tibetan plateau.
Shaluli Mountains
Rugged, snow-capped ridges extending towards the horizon as the flight heads northeast.
Mount Siguniang (Distant)
On clear days, the iconic Four Sisters Mountain can be seen peaking through the clouds far to the north.
Dadu River Gorges
Deep, dramatic valley cuts through the mountains where the plateau begins its steep drop.
Chengdu Basin Entry
The sudden transition from the jagged Longmen mountains to the flat, misty sprawl of the Sichuan basin.
The left side is preferable for early morning flights to see the sunrise illuminating the northern ridges. Keep an eye out for the rapid change in terrain as the aircraft clears the final mountain barriers before descending into Chengdu. Use a polarized filter for photos to cut through the high-altitude haze.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 400 km (249 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 40 min
Departure: DCY (29.323056, 100.053333)
Arrival: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Route Type: Domestic
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