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HAK → SHA
Which side of the plane to sit from Haikou Meilan International Airport (Haikou) to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (Shanghai)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior coastal panorama, featuring the intricate bays of Fujian and the stunning Zhoushan Archipelago, followed by a dramatic entry into the Yangtze River Delta.
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Qiongzhou Strait
Immediately after takeoff, see the busy shipping lanes separating Hainan from the Leizhou Peninsula.
Fujian Coastline
Observe the rugged, jagged coastline with numerous natural harbors and fish farms.
Zhoushan Archipelago
A breathtaking view of hundreds of small islands and the massive Ningbo-Zhoushan port complex.
Donghai Bridge
On a clear day, you can see the long bridge stretching out to the Yangshan Deep-Water Port.
Yangtze River Estuary
Witness the massive scale of the river mouth where the brown silted water meets the blue sea.
The right side is best for morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. Try to secure a seat behind the wing for unobstructed views of the Zhoushan islands. As you approach SHA, the right side often provides a distant but clear glimpse of the Lujiazui skyscrapers (Oriental Pearl Tower) depending on the landing runway and cloud cover.
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Leizhou Peninsula
View the northernmost tip of the South China Sea as the plane crosses from Hainan to the mainland.
Nanling Mountains
Observe the lush, rolling green peaks and valleys of the interior mountain ranges of Guangdong.
Taihu Lake
A massive freshwater lake visible on the left during the descent into the Shanghai region.
Hangzhou City
Distant views of the West Lake area and the rapidly expanding urban skyline of Zhejiang's capital.
Shanghai Urban Sprawl
A birds-eye view of the dense residential districts of Minhang and Qingpu during final approach.
Choose the left side for evening flights to catch the sunset over the inland mountains. Keep an eye out for the distinctive circular 'Tulou' clusters in the Fujian mountains if the flight path is slightly more inland. During descent, look for the massive solar farms scattered across the Zhejiang countryside.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 1,659 km (1,031 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 13 min
Departure: HAK (19.93490028381348, 110.45899963378906)
Arrival: SHA (31.19790077209473, 121.33599853515624)
Route Type: Domestic
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