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PVG → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers unparalleled views of the Tianshan Mountains and the majestic Greater Caucasus range, including Mt. Elbrus, Europe's highest peak.
Search flights from PVG to IST
Tianshan Range
Stunning snow-capped 'Celestial Mountains' stretching across the border of China and Kazakhstan.
Aral Sea
The striking and somber landscape of the receding water line in the Central Asian steppe.
Greater Caucasus
The massive, jagged mountain wall separating the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
Mt. Elbrus
Visible as a prominent double-coned dormant volcano and the highest point in Europe.
Black Sea Coast
The transition from the deep blue waters of the Black Sea to the northern Turkish coastline.
Bosphorus Strait
The iconic waterway dividing Europe and Asia visible during the final descent into IST.
For daylight flights, the right side is superior for mountain photography. The sun will be behind you or to the south, perfectly illuminating the Tianshan and Caucasus peaks. Ensure you have a window seat clear of the wing for the best mountain panoramas.
Book Hotels in IstanbulYangtze Delta
Aerial views of the intricate river networks and urban expansion departing Shanghai.
Qinling Mountains
The dramatic natural geographic divide between Northern and Southern China.
Taklamakan Desert
The sweeping golden sand dunes of one of the world's largest shifting sand deserts.
Caspian Sea
The southern expanse of the world's largest inland sea as you cross into Azerbaijan.
Anatolian Plateau
The rugged, high-altitude terrain of central Turkey leading toward the Marmara region.
Watch for the city lights of Xi'an and Lanzhou during the early hours of the flight. As you approach Istanbul, the left side often provides a better view of the Sea of Marmara if the plane approaches from the south.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 8,020 km (4,983 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 26 min
Departure: PVG (31.143400192260746, 121.80500030517578)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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