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IST → PVG
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a front-row seat to the breathtaking Tianshan Mountains and superior views of the Yangtze River Delta during the descent into Shanghai.
Search flights from IST to PVG
Anatolian Plateau
The high, rugged terrain of eastern Turkey and the Lesser Caucasus mountains.
Caspian Sea
Crossing the world's largest inland body of water with views of the southern coastline.
Tianshan Mountains
Stunning vistas of the 'Celestial Mountains' with 7,000m peaks and massive glaciers.
Taklamakan Desert
The northern fringes of this vast 'Sea of Death' with shifting sand dune patterns.
Shanghai Skyline
Potential views of the Lujiazui financial district and the Bund depending on the landing pattern.
Yangtze River
The final stretch of Asia's longest river as it fans out into a massive silty delta.
The Tianshan Mountains are the absolute highlight and appear roughly 6 hours into the flight; set an alarm if you plan to sleep. For the best views of Shanghai, the right side is preferred as most landing patterns bank over the city or the delta from the south.
Book Hotels in ShanghaiBlack Sea Coast
Aerial views of the rugged northern coastline of Turkey and the southern shores of Georgia.
Greater Caucasus Range
Glaciated peaks including the distant silhouette of Mount Elbrus, the highest point in Europe.
Kazakh Steppe
The immense, desolate expanse of Central Asia featuring unique geological depressions.
Gobi Desert
Dramatic sand dunes and rocky plateaus as the flight crosses into Northern China.
Chongming Island
A massive alluvial island at the Yangtze mouth visible during the final approach to PVG.
Watch the Greater Caucasus range approximately 90 minutes after departure. This side is ideal for night flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun during the long eastward transit across China.
Get eSIMs for Turkey
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 8,020 km (4,983 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 26 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: PVG (31.143400192260746, 121.80500030517578)
Route Type: International
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