Loading map...
PVG → KIJ
Which side of the plane to sit from Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai) to Niigata Airport (Niigata)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a more diverse geographic display, including the dramatic Korean coastline, Jeju Island, and the distinctive silhouette of Sado Island during the final descent.
Yangtze River Delta
Witness the massive sediment-rich waters of the Yangtze merging into the blue East China Sea shortly after departure.
Jeju Island
On many flight paths, you can spot the massive shield volcano of Hallasan rising from the center of Jeju Island.
South Korean Archipelago
Aerial views of the thousands of small, jagged islands that make up the Dadohaehaesang National Park.
Sado Island
The large, uniquely shaped island appears just off the Niigata coast during the final stages of the flight.
Book a seat away from the wing for the best views of the Korean coast. For afternoon flights, the left side avoids the harshest direct sunlight. Keep your camera ready about 20 minutes before landing to capture Sado Island's coastal cliffs.
Tsushima Strait
The historic maritime passage between South Korea and Japan, often dotted with cargo ships and fishing vessels.
Japanese Northern Alps
Stunning distant views of the snow-capped Tateyama and Hakusan mountain ranges as the plane nears the Japanese mainland.
Echigo Plain
The expansive, flat rice-producing heartland of Japan, showcasing a patchwork of fields leading into Niigata.
Niigata Port
A clear view of the Shinano River's mouth and the industrial port infrastructure of Niigata city during the landing flare.
Choose the right side for morning flights to see the Japanese Alps illuminated by the sun. In winter, the contrast between the dark Sea of Japan and the white-capped mountains to the south is spectacular. Look for the winding Shinano River as you cross the coastline.
Distance: 1,754 km (1,090 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 20 min
Departure: PVG (31.143400192260746, 121.80500030517578)
Arrival: KIJ (37.955898284899995, 139.121002197)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.