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KMG → CTU
Which side of the plane to sit from Kunming Changshui International Airport (Kunming) to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a front-row seat to the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, offering spectacular views of high-altitude snow peaks and the deep gorges of the Hengduan Mountains.
Dianchi Lake
A massive freshwater lake south of Kunming visible during the initial climbing phase.
Hengduan Mountain Range
Parallel mountain ridges and deep river valleys that define the geography of the Yunnan-Sichuan border.
Minya Konka (Mount Gongga)
The 'King of Sichuan Mountains,' visible in the distance to the northwest on clear days.
Jinsha River
The upper reaches of the Yangtze River cutting deep, winding canyons through the high plateau.
Daxue Mountains
Dazzling snow-capped peaks that mark the transition toward the Tibetan highlands.
Choose the left side for morning flights to enjoy the sun illuminating the eastern faces of the mountains. Keep a sharp eye out midway through the flight for the 7,556m peak of Minya Konka. Visibility is best in autumn and winter when the air is driest and the sky is clearest.
Dongchuan Red Land
Vibrant red soil and multi-colored terraced fields northeast of Kunming visible shortly after takeoff.
Jinsha Gorges
Dramatic views of the river's eastern banks as it flows toward the central Chinese plains.
Mount Emei
One of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, potentially visible to the southeast during descent.
Sichuan Basin
A sudden transition into the lush, green agricultural heartland known as the Land of Abundance.
Chengdu Urban Area
The sprawling, dense metropolis of Chengdu appearing as the aircraft prepares for its final approach.
The right side is excellent for seeing the unique geological colors of Yunnan's soil. As you approach Chengdu, watch for the shift from rugged mountains to the flat, misty Sichuan Basin. Afternoon flights on this side avoid the harshest direct glare of the sun.
Distance: 617 km (383 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 2 min
Departure: KMG (25.101944399999997, 102.9291667)
Arrival: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Route Type: Domestic
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