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TYN → URC
Which side of the plane to sit from Taiyuan Wusu Airport (Taiyuan) to Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport (Urumqi)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side of the aircraft provides an incredible front-row seat to the snow-capped Qilian Mountains and the dramatic landscapes of the eastern Tianshan range as you approach Urumqi.
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Loess Plateau
Deeply eroded gullies and unique terraced landscapes of Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces shortly after takeoff.
Qilian Mountains
A massive, continuous chain of snow-capped peaks running parallel to the flight path for a significant portion of the journey.
Hexi Corridor
The historic Silk Road route, featuring a string of green oases set against a backdrop of harsh desert and high mountains.
Turpan Basin
Views of the Flaming Mountains and one of the world's deepest inland depressions as the flight enters Xinjiang.
Eastern Tianshan
Stunning glacial peaks and rugged mountain terrain visible during the descent into the Urumqi valley.
Choose a window seat on the left for consistent views of the high mountain ranges. Morning flights are ideal as the sun illuminates the northern slopes of the Qilian mountains. During the descent, keep your camera ready for the contrast between the arid desert basins and the icy Tianshan peaks. In winter, the entire route is often blanketed in white, providing a surreal, high-contrast landscape.
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Yellow River Loop
The massive 'Great Bend' of the Yellow River carving through the arid northern terrain.
Badain Jaran Desert
Vast stretches of the Gobi and the edge of the Badain Jaran, featuring some of the world's tallest stationary sand dunes.
Great Wall Ruins
Remote, ancient sections of the Han and Ming Dynasty Great Wall visible as thin lines across the desert floor.
Bogda Peak
The majestic 5,445-meter summit of the Bogda Shan, often visible on the right side during the final approach pattern into Urumqi.
The right side is excellent for afternoon flights to avoid the harsh glare of the southern sun. It offers the best perspective of the vast Gobi Desert's textures and the unique geology of the northern Silk Road branches. Watch for the 'checkerboard' sand stabilization patterns near railway lines and highways crossing the desert. Bogda Peak is the star attraction on this side just before landing.
Book Hotels in UrumqiDistance: 2,214 km (1,376 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 57 min
Departure: TYN (37.74689865112305, 112.62799835205078)
Arrival: URC (43.90710067749024, 87.47419738769531)
Route Type: Domestic
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