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SHA → LHW
Which side of the plane to sit from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (Shanghai) to Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport (Lanzhou)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the dramatic transition from the lush Yangtze Delta to the towering Qinling Mountains, including a potential view of the famous Mount Hua.
Search flights from SHA to LHW
Shanghai Skyline
Sweeping views of the Huangpu River and Lujiazui towers shortly after takeoff from Hongqiao.
Yangtze River
The massive meanders and heavy river traffic of Asia's longest river are visible for the first phase of flight.
Dabie Mountains
Rugged, forested peaks providing a sharp contrast to the flat eastern plains of Anhui province.
Qinling Mountains
The great natural boundary between North and South China, featuring steep ridges and deep valleys.
Mount Hua
One of the five sacred mountains, recognizable by its sheer granite cliffs near the city of Huayin.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid direct sunlight. Look out early for the Yangtze's industrial scale. As the flight progresses west, the Qinling range becomes the dominant feature; keep an eye out for the distinct peaks of Mount Hua approximately 70-80 minutes into the flight.
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Taihu Lake
A massive freshwater lake visible shortly after departure, surrounded by the developed cities of the delta.
Central Plains
A vast patchwork of agricultural fields stretching to the horizon across Henan province.
Yellow River
Observe the 'Mother River' of China as it cuts through the landscape near the city of Zhengzhou.
Loess Plateau
Incredible patterns of terraced fields and deep erosion gullies in the iconic yellow silt soil.
Lanzhou Basin
The dramatic descent into the narrow valley of Lanzhou, surrounded by high, dry mountains.
Choose the right side for late afternoon flights to catch the golden hour glow on the Loess Plateau. The intricate terracing of the yellow earth near Lanzhou is a visual highlight; use a wide-angle lens to capture the geometric patterns of the eroded hills during descent.
Book Hotels in LanzhouDistance: 1,736 km (1,079 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 19 min
Departure: SHA (31.19790077209473, 121.33599853515624)
Arrival: LHW (36.5152015686, 103.620002747)
Route Type: Domestic
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