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HDG → CTU
Which side of the plane to sit from Handan Airport (Handan) to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior vantage point for the rugged Taihang Mountains and the high peaks of the Qinling range, which serves as China's primary geographic divide.
Taihang Mountains
The steep and rugged ridges of the Taihang range are visible to the west shortly after departure.
Loess Plateau
Unique terraced landscapes and yellow-earth geography of the Shanxi and Shaanxi border regions.
Qinling High Peaks
Spectacular views of the highest central peaks of the Qinling range, often snow-capped in winter.
Wei River Valley
The cradle of Chinese civilization, visible as a long green valley north of the Qinling wall.
Chengdu Skyline
Views of the sprawling Chengdu metropolis and the high-tech districts during the final approach phase.
Choose the right side for the most dramatic mountain photography. Morning flights offer the best contrast on the Taihang ridges. As the aircraft descends into CTU, the right side usually provides a better view of the city center if the landing is from the north.
Handan Cityscape
A view of the industrial and historical urban sprawl of Handan immediately following takeoff from HDG.
Yellow River
The massive, silt-laden Yellow River is visible as the flight crosses from Hebei into Henan province.
Southern Qinling Slopes
The southern, more densely forested slopes of the Qinling Mountains as the aircraft heads toward Sichuan.
Sichuan Basin Entrance
The dramatic transition from high mountains into the often misty and fertile green plains of the Sichuan Basin.
The left side is ideal for morning flights to avoid direct sunlight. Keep an eye out for the Yellow River crossing approximately 15-20 minutes into the flight. Be prepared for visibility to drop as you enter the Sichuan Basin due to frequent local haze.
Distance: 1,174 km (729 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 34 min
Departure: HDG (36.5258333333, 114.425555556)
Arrival: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Route Type: Domestic
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