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PEK → ALA
Which side of the plane to sit from Beijing Capital International Airport (Beijing) to Almaty Airport (Alma-ata)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers an unparalleled view of the majestic Tianshan mountain range and the northern reaches of the Tibetan Plateau, providing a dramatic snowy backdrop for the majority of the journey.
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Yan Mountains
Rugged, ancient peaks surrounding the Beijing basin visible shortly after takeoff.
Qilian Mountains
Massive snow-capped peaks that mark the edge of the Hexi Corridor and the Tibetan Plateau.
Badain Jaran Desert
High sand dunes and desert lakes visible in the distance across Gansu Province.
Bogda Peak
The highest point in the eastern Tianshan, standing at 5,445m with prominent glaciers.
Tianshan Range
The 'Heavenly Mountains' run parallel to the flight path for the final segment into Almaty.
The left side (A seats) is the clear winner for mountain lovers. On morning flights, the sun is behind you, illuminating the Tianshan peaks perfectly. Watch closely about 45 minutes before landing for the most dramatic glacier views. In winter, the entire landscape is a stunning white desert, while summer reveals the contrast between arid basins and snowy peaks.
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Gobi Desert
Vast, harsh expanses of rocky desert and sand pans across Inner Mongolia.
Jiuquan Region
Overlook the remote areas near China's primary spaceport in the northern desert.
Ürümqi Cityscape
The urban sprawl of the world's most inland major city nestled against the mountains.
Junggar Basin
A massive sedimentary basin featuring unique colorful geological layers and salt lakes.
Dzungarian Alatau
The border mountains between China and Kazakhstan appearing on the northern horizon.
The right side (F or K seats) is ideal for those interested in vast desert geography and remote landscapes. It offers better views of the urban center of Ürümqi during the mid-flight transit. Afternoon flights on this side are excellent for seeing the long shadows over the desert dunes, though the sun can be quite direct and bright during the westward heading.
Book Hotels in Alma-ataDistance: 3,271 km (2,033 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 51 min
Departure: PEK (40.0801010131836, 116.58499908447266)
Arrival: ALA (43.35210037231445, 77.04049682617188)
Route Type: International
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