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SHA → HKG
Which side of the plane to sit from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (Shanghai) to Hong Kong International Airport (Hong Kong)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a consistent panoramic view of the East China Sea coastline, the rugged Fujian province topography, and the intricate island chains near Ningbo and Xiamen before descending into the South China Sea.
Hangzhou Bay Bridge
One of the longest trans-oceanic bridges in the world, visible shortly after departure from Shanghai.
Zhoushan Archipelago
A dense cluster of hundreds of islands at the mouth of the Yangtze River and Hangzhou Bay.
Fujian Coastline
A jagged, beautiful coastline featuring numerous bays, inlets, and the busy shipping lanes of the Taiwan Strait.
Xiamen and Kinmen
Clear views of Xiamen's urban skyline and the nearby Kinmen islands are often visible mid-flight.
South China Sea Traffic
On final descent, witness the massive scale of international maritime trade with hundreds of cargo ships anchored near Hong Kong.
For the clearest coastal views, choose a morning flight to have the sun behind the aircraft. During the descent into HKG (if landing toward the west), the left side often captures the distant skyline of Hong Kong Island and the outlying Lamma Island.
Taihu Lake
One of China's largest freshwater lakes may be visible to the west during the initial climb phase.
Wuyi Mountains
The flight path passes near the border of Fujian and Jiangxi, offering views of misty, forested mountain ranges.
Shenzhen Skyline
During the descent, the massive skyscrapers of Futian and Nanshan districts, including the Ping An Finance Center, are visible.
Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
The world's longest sea-crossing bridge is clearly visible on the approach to HKG, spanning the Pearl River estuary.
Lantau Island Peaks
Dramatic views of the Tian Tan Buddha (Big Buddha) and the steep green peaks of Lantau Island during the final approach.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to enjoy the sunset over the mainland. If the plane approaches HKG from the west (Runway 07), the right side offers the most intimate views of Lantau Island and the airport's reclamation project.
Distance: 1,232 km (766 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 39 min
Departure: SHA (31.19790077209473, 121.33599853515624)
Arrival: HKG (22.308901, 113.915001)
Route Type: International
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