Loading map...
GMP → SHA
Which side of the plane to sit from Gimpo International Airport (Seoul) to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (Shanghai)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior vantage point for the approach into Shanghai, providing views of the southern Yangtze Delta's complex water networks and the best chance to see the city's iconic skyline during descent.
Search flights from GMP to SHA
Incheon Archipelago
A stunning collection of islands off the coast of Incheon visible immediately after departing the Seoul area.
Yellow Sea Crossing
The vast expanse of the West Sea, often busy with international shipping vessels heading toward major Asian ports.
Yangtze Delta Waterways
An intricate network of canals, ponds, and agricultural fields that define the geography of eastern China.
Shanghai Urban Sprawl
The massive, dense residential and commercial expansion of Shanghai as the plane enters the metropolitan airspace.
Lujiazui Skyline
Distant views of the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower if the flight path approaches from the southeast.
Book a window seat on the left for evening flights to catch the sunset over the Yellow Sea. During the descent into Hongqiao, keep your camera ready for the transition from rural canals to the high-density skyscrapers of central Shanghai. Visibility is best in autumn when the air is traditionally clearer.
Get eSIMs for South Korea
Get eSIMs for China
Ganghwa Island
Large, mountainous island near the Han River estuary, rich with historical sites and rugged coastal scenery.
Chongming Island
The world's largest alluvial island at the mouth of the Yangtze River, showcasing massive green spaces and wetlands.
Yangtze River Mouth
The brown, silt-heavy waters of the Yangtze meeting the sea, filled with heavy maritime traffic and cargo ships.
Baoshan Port
One of China's most significant industrial areas and steel production hubs visible on the northern outskirts of Shanghai.
The right side is ideal for morning flights as the sun will be on the opposite side, reducing glare. It provides the best view of the massive scale of the Yangtze River shipping lanes. Look for the distinct color change in the water where the river silt mixes with the ocean.
Book Hotels in ShanghaiDistance: 866 km (538 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 27 min
Departure: GMP (37.5583, 126.791)
Arrival: SHA (31.19790077209473, 121.33599853515624)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.