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URC → YIN
Which side of the plane to sit from Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport (Urumqi) to Yining Airport (Yining)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a direct view of the stunning turquoise Sayram Lake and the dramatic descent through the northern Tianshan ridges into the lush Ili River Valley.
Search flights from URC to YIN
Dzungarian Basin Edge
Views of the arid, textured landscape of the northern desert fringes transitioning into the foothills.
Sayram Lake
The highlight of the route; a brilliant blue alpine lake known as the 'Last Teardrop of the Atlantic.'
Guozigou Valley
The dramatic mountain pass leading to Yining, occasionally revealing glimpses of the massive spiral highway bridge.
Borohoro Range
Sharp, jagged ridges of the northern Tianshan branch that provide a dramatic foreground to the descent.
Yining City
An aerial view of the 'City of Almonds' and its unique greenery-filled layout during the final approach.
The right side is the 'money side' for this route. Specifically request a seat ahead of or well behind the wing to see Sayram Lake, which usually appears about two-thirds of the way through the flight. Late afternoon flights are particularly scenic as the sun illuminates the Ili River Valley and the turquoise waters of the lake.
Book Hotels in YiningBogda Peak
Shortly after takeoff, look back to see the towering 5,445-meter snow-capped summit of the eastern Tianshan.
Central Tianshan Massif
A continuous panorama of rugged peaks, deep glaciers, and perennial snowfields along the southern flight path.
Alpine Meadows
High-altitude summer pastures of the Tianshan, showing vibrant green against the grey rock during warmer months.
Upper Ili Valley
The widening valley floor as the mountains recede, revealing the fertile plains of the Xinjiang border region.
Choose the left side for consistent high-altitude mountain scenery. During midday flights, the sun is to the south, so the right side actually has better lighting to avoid glare, but the left side captures the highest peaks of the central range. Early morning flights offer beautiful soft light on the southern slopes.
Get eSIMs for China
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 492 km (306 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 49 min
Departure: URC (43.90710067749024, 87.47419738769531)
Arrival: YIN (43.955799, 81.330299)
Route Type: Domestic
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