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SYX → PVG
Which side of the plane to sit from Sanya Phoenix International Airport (Sanya) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior mix of tropical island departures, the rugged coastal mountain ranges of Fujian, and the potential for a spectacular view of the Shanghai city skyline during the descent into Pudong.
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Hainan Tropical Interior
View the lush, mountainous heart of Hainan Island immediately after takeoff from Sanya.
Pearl River Delta Fringes
Distant views of the massive urban sprawl of the Guangdong coastal cities as the flight heads north.
Fujian Coastal Ranges
Look down at the dramatic, mist-shrouded green peaks of the Wuyi and Daiyun mountain ranges.
Hangzhou Bay
A glimpse of the massive bridge infrastructure connecting the southern delta to the Shanghai region.
Shanghai Urban Core
On many approach patterns, you can see the Lujiazui skyscrapers and the Bund in the distance to the west.
For the best experience, choose a window seat forward of the wing to avoid engine heat haze. An afternoon flight (around 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM) provides excellent lighting on the mainland side without direct glare, and if the flight is delayed into the evening, the Shanghai city lights are breathtaking on the left side during a northern approach.
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South China Sea
Uninterrupted views of the deep blue waters and coral reefs near the Hainan coast upon departure.
Taiwan Strait Shipping Lanes
Spot numerous cargo ships and tankers traversing one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.
Zhoushan Archipelago
A stunning bird's-eye view of hundreds of small islands and fishing villages off the coast of Zhejiang.
Donghai Bridge Wind Farm
View the massive offshore wind turbines standing in the East China Sea near the approach to PVG.
Yangtze River Estuary
Watch the dramatic color change where the silt-heavy Yangtze waters meet the blue East China Sea.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to see the sun rising over the Pacific. It is the best side for photography of the Zhoushan islands, which are a major highlight of this route. Keep your camera ready about 30-40 minutes before landing to capture the complex patterns of the Yangtze river delta sediment.
Book Hotels in ShanghaiDistance: 1,896 km (1,178 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 32 min
Departure: SYX (18.30290031433105, 109.41200256347656)
Arrival: PVG (31.143400192260746, 121.80500030517578)
Route Type: Domestic
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