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URC → LHW
Which side of the plane to sit from Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport (Urumqi) to Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport (Lanzhou)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a spectacular, continuous view of the snow-capped Qilian Mountains and the historic Silk Road oases of the Hexi Corridor.
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Tianshan Massif
Incredible views of the rugged Tianshan mountains during the initial climb and cruise south of Urumqi.
Turpan Basin Edge
The northern rim of the world's second deepest depression and the scorched Flaming Mountains are visible in the distance.
Qilian Mountains
A breathtaking sequence of glacier-capped peaks that run parallel to the flight path for several hundred kilometers.
Hexi Corridor Oases
The green ribbons of Hami, Jiuquan, and Zhangye stand out sharply against the surrounding desert terrain.
Zhangye Danxia
Look for the vibrant, multicolored 'rainbow mountains' and sedimentary rock formations near the Gansu border.
This is the premier side for this route. Request a seat forward of the wing for the best mountain photography. Afternoon flights provide excellent lighting on the Qilian glaciers. In winter, the entire range is covered in deep snow, creating an alpine wonderland view.
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Bogda Peak
Shortly after takeoff, the majestic 5,445-meter peak of the eastern Tianshan range is visible to the northeast.
Gobi Desert
Vast, undulating stretches of the Black Gobi provide a minimalist and starkly beautiful landscape.
Badain Jaran Fringes
In the latter half of the flight, the distant high dunes of the world's tallest stationary dunes may be visible.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid the harsh southern sun. The highlights are most prominent in the first 20 minutes of the flight when Bogda Peak is in view. Keep your camera ready immediately after departure from URC.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 1,594 km (990 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 8 min
Departure: URC (43.90710067749024, 87.47419738769531)
Arrival: LHW (36.5152015686, 103.620002747)
Route Type: Domestic
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