Loading map...
LHW → CTU
Which side of the plane to sit from Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport (Lanzhou) to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a spectacular vantage point of the rugged Min Mountains and the dramatic elevation drop from the Tibetan Plateau into the lush Sichuan Basin.
Search flights from LHW to CTU
Min Mountains Range
High-altitude peaks that form the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, often capped with snow.
Xuebaoding Peak
On clear days, the highest peak of the Min Mountains is visible as a prominent pyramid-shaped summit.
Min River Headwaters
The upper reaches of the river that eventually flows through the historic Dujiangyan irrigation system.
Longmen Mountain Fault
A dramatic geographical boundary where the high plateau drops steeply into the flat Chengdu Plain.
Afternoon flights are ideal for the right side to catch the sun illuminating the western mountain faces. Look for the sharp contrast between the high, arid plateau and the humid, flat basin during the descent into Chengdu. Visibility is best in late autumn and winter.
Book Hotels in Chengdu
Lanzhou Urban Valley
A clear view of the city layout stretched along the banks of the Yellow River immediately after takeoff.
Loess Plateau Terraces
Unique agricultural patterns and deep erosion gullies characteristic of the Gansu landscape.
Western Qinling Mountains
The northern geological barrier of the Sichuan Basin featuring sharp ridges and deep valleys.
Sichuan Basin Entrance
The sudden transition from arid brown mountains to the dense, misty greenery of the Sichuan province.
Morning flights provide the best lighting for the river valleys and urban features. Keep an eye out for the Yellow River's unique curves just south of the airport. During winter, the Qinling ridges often show a clear snow line separation.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 661 km (411 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 6 min
Departure: LHW (36.5152015686, 103.620002747)
Arrival: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Route Type: Domestic
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.