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MNL destination photo
XMN destination photo

MNLXMN

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers superior views of the Manila Bay coastline upon departure and the unique sight of the Kinmen Islands—controlled by Taiwan but situated right next to Xiamen—during the final approach.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🌊

Manila Bay & Bataan

Immediately after takeoff, witness the expansive Manila Bay and the silhouette of the Bataan Peninsula.

🏔️

Zambales Mountains

View the rugged peaks of the Zambales range, including the area surrounding Mount Pinatubo, as you fly north.

🏝️

Dongsha Atoll

On clear days, the turquoise waters of the remote Pratas Island (Dongsha) can be seen in the South China Sea.

🏘️

Kinmen Islands

A highlight of the descent; see the Taiwanese-governed Kinmen Islands just off the coast of mainland China.

🌉

Haicang Bridge

As the plane aligns with the Xiamen runway, view the impressive suspension bridge and busy port infrastructure.

For the best experience, choose a window seat forward of the wing to avoid engine heat haze. Afternoon flights are ideal on this side as the sun will be behind or above the plane, providing excellent lighting for photos of Kinmen and the Xiamen coastline without direct glare.

Right Side Highlights
7.2
🏙️

Metro Manila Skyline

Catch a panoramic view of the dense skyscrapers of Makati and Bonifacio Global City during the initial climb.

⛰️

Cordillera Central

Glimpse the massive mountain ranges of Northern Luzon, home to the Philippines' highest peaks.

🏖️

Ilocos Coastline

Observe where the mountains meet the sea along the northwestern tip of Luzon before heading over open water.

🚢

Luzon Strait Traffic

Watch for large cargo ships and tankers navigating the busy international shipping lanes between the Philippines and Taiwan.

🏙️

Xiamen Island

View the modern high-rises and urban development of Xiamen Island's eastern districts during the landing sequence.

The right side is excellent for catching the sunrise on early morning departures from Manila. Keep an eye out for the Babuyan Islands if the flight path tracks slightly further east. Note that during landing at XMN, the right side may face away from the city center depending on the active runway.

Top Activities in Xiamen
Route Information

Distance: 1,156 km (718 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 32 min

Departure: MNL (14.5086, 121.019997)

Arrival: XMN (24.54400062561035, 118.12799835205078)

Route Type: International

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