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LXA → CTU
Which side of the plane to sit from Lhasa Gonggar Airport (Lhasa) to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (Chengdu)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a front-row seat to the most dramatic peaks of the Eastern Himalayas and the Hengduan Mountains, including the legendary Gongga Shan (Minya Konka), the highest peak in Sichuan province.
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Yamdrok Lake
One of Tibet's three largest sacred lakes, visible as a bright turquoise scorpion-shaped body of water shortly after takeoff.
Yarlung Tsangpo River
Follow the winding course of the 'Everest of Rivers' as it carves through the high plateau.
Namcha Barwa
The 7,782m 'spear' peak marking the eastern syntax of the Himalayas, often visible piercing the clouds.
Gongga Shan (Minya Konka)
The 'King of Sichuan Mountains' at 7,556m; its massive pyramid shape is the highlight of the flight.
Sichuan Basin Transition
The dramatic drop-off from 4,000m peaks to the 500m elevation of the Chengdu plain, often shrouded in a sea of clouds.
Sit behind the wing for an unobstructed view of Gongga Shan, which appears about mid-way through the flight. This peak is extremely prominent and unmistakable due to its height. Use a polarizing filter if possible to cut through the high-altitude atmospheric haze and capture the intense blues of the Tibetan sky.
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Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains
Stunning views of the glaciated peaks that separate the Yarlung Tsangpo from the Changtang plateau.
Nyingchi Region
Views of the high-altitude valleys known for their lush vegetation and seasonal peach blossoms.
Hengduan Range
A series of north-south running ridges with deep river valleys and permanent snowfields.
Qionglai Mountains
The final mountain barrier before the descent into the Sichuan Basin, home to panda habitats.
Morning flights are highly recommended to avoid the afternoon convection clouds that often obscure the peaks. Keep your camera focused on the northern horizon for distant views of the vast Tibetan interior. The descent into Chengdu from this side provides a great perspective of the Dujiangyan irrigation area on clear days.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 1,263 km (785 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 41 min
Departure: LXA (29.2978000641, 90.9119033813)
Arrival: CTU (30.578500747680664, 103.9469985961914)
Route Type: Domestic
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