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TSE → CIT
Which side of the plane to sit from Astana International Airport (Tselinograd) to Shymkent Airport (Chimkent)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a more dramatic transition from the northern steppes to the southern mountain ranges, featuring views of the distant Tien Shan and the rugged Karatau ridges during descent.
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Astana Modernity
A sweeping view of the capital's unique futuristic architecture and the Ishim River immediately after departure.
Saryarka Steppe
The vast, rolling grasslands of the Kazakh Uplands, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site for their biodiversity.
Lake Balkhash Horizon
On clear days, the western edge of one of Asia's largest lakes is visible as a shimmering blue line to the southeast.
Karatau Mountains
The jagged, ancient ridges of the Karatau range appear as the flight approaches the Turkistan region.
Tien Shan Peaks
Distant views of the snow-capped 'Celestial Mountains' bordering Kyrgyzstan, visible during the final 20 minutes of flight.
Sit behind the wing for unobstructed views of the mountain horizons. Morning flights are excellent for seeing the landscape illuminated, though you should bring sunglasses to manage the direct sunlight. During winter, the contrast between the white steppe and the dark mountain ridges is spectacular.
Get eSIMs for Kazakhstan
Get eSIMs for Kazakhstan
Betpak-Dala Desert
The 'Hungry Steppe' plateau, a harsh and beautiful desert wilderness that stretches between the Sarysu and Syr Darya rivers.
Syr Darya Basin
Views of the ancient river's drainage basin, showing the lifeline of agriculture in this arid southern region.
Irrigated Oases
The sudden transition from desert to green, geometric agricultural plots as you enter the Shymkent outskirts.
Shymkent Suburbs
Low-altitude views of the sprawling residential and industrial districts of Kazakhstan's third-largest city before landing.
The right side is the prime choice for evening flights to witness the sunset over the Kyzylkum desert. It is also typically better for observing the intricate patterns of the irrigation canals and cotton fields that define the Shymkent region's landscape.
Book Hotels in ChimkentDistance: 974 km (605 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 37 min
Departure: TSE (51.02220153808594, 71.46690368652344)
Arrival: CIT (42.364200592041016, 69.47889709472656)
Route Type: Domestic
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