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LXA → XNN
Which side of the plane to sit from Lhasa Gonggar Airport (Lhasa) to Xining Caojiabu Airport (Xining)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a front-row seat to the most iconic Tibetan landscapes, including the majestic Nyenchen Tanglha peaks and the turquoise expanse of Lake Namtso.
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Nyenchen Tanglha Range
Soaring glaciated peaks visible shortly after departing Lhasa, often seen piercing through the clouds.
Lake Namtso
One of Tibet's most sacred and largest salt lakes, famous for its deep blue water against the snowy backdrop.
Tanggula Mountains
The high-altitude pass and mountain range marking the border between Tibet and Qinghai provinces.
Hoh Xil (Kekexili)
A vast, remote UNESCO world heritage site known for Tibetan antelope and wild yaks visible on the plateau.
Kunlun Mountains
An ancient and formidable mountain range stretching across the horizon with dramatic geological textures.
Qaidam Basin Fringe
The transition into the high-altitude desert and salt-encrusted landscapes of western China.
Book an early morning window seat to capture the clearest skies over the plateau before afternoon convection clouds build up. The descent into Xining can be bumpy, so photograph the high peaks during the first 45 minutes of the flight. Keep your eyes peeled for the Qinghai-Tibet Railway snaking through the mountains below.
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Lhasa Valley
Aerial views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and the surrounding valley right after takeoff.
Amne Machin
A glimpse of this sacred, massive glaciated mountain in the distance to the east near the Qinghai border.
Yellow River Headwaters
The winding, emerald-colored upper reaches of the Ma Chu, the source of China's 'Mother River'.
Gonghe Basin
Extensive high-altitude grasslands and evolving agricultural patterns near the approach to Xining.
Xining Approach
The unique terraced hills and Loess Plateau geography that characterizes the descent into the city.
The right side offers excellent lighting in the afternoon for seeing the depth of the valleys and the textures of the mountains. Look for the massive solar farms near Gonghe as you approach Xining, which are among the largest in the world and visible for miles.
Book Hotels in XiningDistance: 1,312 km (815 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 45 min
Departure: LXA (29.2978000641, 90.9119033813)
Arrival: XNN (36.5275, 102.042999)
Route Type: Domestic
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