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URC → PVG
Which side of the plane to sit from Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport (Urumqi) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers unparalleled views of China's most dramatic northern terrain, including the continuous snow-capped ridges of the Tian Shan and Qilian mountain ranges, plus a high probability of seeing the Shanghai skyline on approach.
Search flights from URC to PVG
Tian Shan Mountains
Continuous panoramic views of 5,000-meter peaks and alpine glaciers following departure.
Turpan Depression
Aerial view of the world's second deepest land depression and the Flaming Mountains.
Qilian Mountains
A spectacular run along the 'Roof of the Hexi Corridor' with year-round snow cover.
Loess Plateau
The unique, heavily eroded yellow-earth canyons and terraced hills of Shaanxi province.
Shanghai Cityscape
Prime views of the Lujiazui financial district and the Bund when landing from the west.
The right side is the premium choice for this route. For the best photography of the Qilian glaciers, select a midday or afternoon flight when the sun illuminates the southern slopes. Be aware that the Shanghai skyline view depends on the specific landing runway; however, the right side generally offers the most iconic 'over-the-city' perspective.
Book Hotels in ShanghaiBogda Peak
The highest point in the eastern Tian Shan, visible shortly after takeoff from Urumqi.
Gobi Desert
Vast expanses of the stony Alxa Plateau and the shifting sands of the Inner Mongolian border.
Yellow River Bend
The massive northern loop of the Mother River as it carves through the Ordos Loop.
Suzhou Water Towns
Intricate networks of canals and ancient water towns visible as the plane enters the Yangtze Delta.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid the harsh southern sun. This side provides the best view of the vast desert landscapes of northern China and the industrial clusters of the North China Plain. During the final approach to PVG, it often overlooks the busy shipping lanes of the Yangtze River estuary.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 3,312 km (2,058 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 54 min
Departure: URC (43.90710067749024, 87.47419738769531)
Arrival: PVG (31.143400192260746, 121.80500030517578)
Route Type: Domestic
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