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LHW → KWL
Which side of the plane to sit from Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport (Lanzhou) to Guilin Liangjiang International Airport (Guilin)?
Right Side of the Plane
While both sides offer spectacular views of China's transition from the Loess Plateau to the karst mountains, the right side is generally superior for viewing the vast Sichuan Basin and the dramatic limestone formations during the final approach into Guilin.
Eastern Sichuan Basin
Look down upon the dense agricultural patchwork and misty hills of the Sichuan basin, often shrouded in a poetic haze.
Chongqing Periphery
Depending on the airway, catch glimpses of the sprawling mountain city's urban expansion and the Jialing River confluence.
Dalou Mountains
Observe the dramatic limestone escarpments and high-altitude plateaus of northern Guizhou.
Karst Peak Forest
As you enter Guangxi, the right side offers an expansive view of the world-famous 'Ten Thousand Peaks' landscape.
Lijiang River Valley
On final approach, look for the iconic winding Lijiang River snaking between vertical limestone towers.
The right side is unbeatable during afternoon flights for the golden hour glow on the Guilin karst peaks. For the best photos, aim for a seat forward of the wing to capture the unobstructed horizon. During summer, the clouds over the Sichuan Basin create a stunning 'sea of clouds' effect that is best viewed from this side.
Loess Plateau
View the unique yellow-earth terraced landscapes and deep, eroded canyons typical of the Gansu and Shaanxi border regions.
Qinling Mountains
Fly over the massive mountain range that serves as the natural geographic boundary between North and South China.
Upper Yangtze Tributaries
Spot the winding rivers and deep valleys that feed into the Yangtze as you cross the mountainous Chongqing-Guizhou border.
Wuling Mountain Range
Gaze at the dense forests and sharp ridges that define the rugged terrain of northern Guizhou and western Hunan.
Guilin Outskirts
See the initial clusters of limestone peaks emerging from the green agricultural valleys as the plane begins its descent.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid the direct southern sun. This side provides a better perspective of the steep drop-offs from the Loess Plateau into the Qinling range. Keep an eye out for the complex river systems that cut through the rugged central highlands.
Distance: 1,397 km (868 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 52 min
Departure: LHW (36.5152015686, 103.620002747)
Arrival: KWL (25.21809959411621, 110.03900146484376)
Route Type: Domestic
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