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HRI → PVG
Which side of the plane to sit from Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (Mattala) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is ideal for capturing the vastness of the Bay of Bengal and the spectacular coastal approach into Shanghai, featuring the Zhoushan Archipelago and East China Sea shipping lanes.
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Andaman Islands
Scattered tropical islands and coral reefs visible during the crossing of the Bay of Bengal.
East China Sea
Vast maritime traffic including massive container ships waiting to enter the world's busiest ports.
Zhoushan Archipelago
A stunning collection of hundreds of islands connected by massive sea bridges visible during the descent.
Donghai Bridge
One of the longest cross-sea bridges in the world, stretching across the water towards Yangshan Deep Water Port.
The right side is essential for the descent into PVG, as most flight paths approach over the water. Watch for the Zhoushan islands and the immense scale of Chinese maritime infrastructure. Morning arrivals provide the best light for the East China Sea, while evening arrivals offer a spectacular view of the illuminated Shanghai coastline.
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Central Highlands
Dramatic views of Sri Lanka's misty mountains and tea plantations shortly after departure from Mattala.
Irrawaddy Delta
The complex, emerald-green river networks of Myanmar's southern coastline.
Hengduan Mountains
The rugged, high-altitude ridges of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau as the flight enters mainland China.
Yangtze River Delta
The incredible urban density and shimmering waterways of the Jiangnan region approaching the destination.
Choose a window seat forward of the wing for unobstructed views of the Myanmar river systems. On day flights, the sun will be on the right side during the initial leg, making the left side better for glare-free photography of the Sri Lankan coast and the Southeast Asian mainland.
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Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 5,052 km (3,139 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 5 hrs 57 min
Departure: HRI (6.284467, 81.124128)
Arrival: PVG (31.143400192260746, 121.80500030517578)
Route Type: International
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