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PEK → GYD
Which side of the plane to sit from Beijing Capital International Airport (Beijing) to Heydar Aliyev International Airport (Baku)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the majestic Tianshan Mountains and the dramatic transition from the Gobi Desert to the fertile valleys of Central Asia.
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Gobi Desert Dunes
Vast stretches of orange sand dunes and rocky formations across Inner Mongolia and Gansu.
Tianshan Mountains
Spectacular, jagged snow-capped peaks of the 'Celestial Mountains' visible for a significant portion of the flight.
Fergana Valley
A vibrant green oasis nestled between mountain ranges, marking the transition into Uzbekistan.
Southern Caspian Sea
The deep blue expanse of the world's largest inland body of water as the flight approaches Azerbaijan.
Baku Cityscape
A stunning view of the Flame Towers and the Absheron Peninsula during the final descent into GYD.
For daytime flights, sit on the left to capture the sun-illuminated Tianshan range. If flying during the winter, the contrast between the white peaks and the brown desert is particularly striking. Be aware that the sun will be on this side during the middle of the flight, so keep the window shade partially down if it gets too bright.
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Mongolian Steppe
Endless rolling grasslands and plateau landscapes shortly after departing the Beijing area.
Lake Balkhash
A massive, unique crescent-shaped lake in Kazakhstan known for its distinctively bright turquoise water.
Kyzylkum Desert
The 'Red Sand' desert of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, featuring unique geological patterns.
Caspian Oil Rigs
The northern Caspian's offshore infrastructure and the shallow, pale green coastal waters near Kazakhstan.
The right side is ideal for avoiding direct sunlight on westbound daytime flights, providing more consistent lighting for photography. Look out for Lake Balkhash approximately 3-4 hours into the flight; it is one of the largest lakes in Asia and its color is highly distinctive from 30,000 feet.
Book Hotels in BakuDistance: 5,503 km (3,419 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 6 hrs 28 min
Departure: PEK (40.0801010131836, 116.58499908447266)
Arrival: GYD (40.46749877929688, 50.04669952392578)
Route Type: International
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