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XIY â HRB
Which side of the plane to sit from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (Xi'an) to Taiping Airport (Harbin)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the dramatic Taihang Mountain range, the massive urban sprawl of Beijing, and the distant horizon of the Bohai Sea as you traverse the North China Plain toward the northeast.
Taihang Mountains
Spectacular ridges and deep canyons of this major mountain range spanning the Shanxi and Hebei borders.
Beijing Megacity
On clear days, the massive urban footprint of China's capital and its surrounding satellite cities is visible.
Bohai Sea Horizon
Glimpses of the coastal horizon and the Bohai Bay in the far distance as you pass Hebei province.
Shenyang Skyline
A clear view of the industrial and modern high-rises of the Liaoning provincial capital during the mid-flight phase.
Changbai Foothills
The rolling, forested hills leading toward the North Korean border, especially scenic when covered in frost or snow.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to witness the sunrise over the North China Plain. This side is consistently more scenic due to the proximity to the Taihang Mountains. Use a high shutter speed to capture the intricate patterns of the mountain ridges through the aircraft window.
Xi'an Urban Grid
Aerial view of the ancient capital's structured layout and the Wei River valley shortly after takeoff.
Mu Us Desert Edge
Observe the transition from the Loess Plateau to the semi-arid landscapes bordering Inner Mongolia.
Yinshan Mountains
Distant views of the rugged peaks that define the northern boundary of the North China corridor.
Songliao Plain
The vast, fertile agricultural heartland of Northeast China, appearing as a patchwork of fields.
Songhua River
The winding blue curves of the Songhua River as the plane maneuvers for its final approach into Harbin.
Choose the left side for afternoon flights to avoid the harsh glare of the sun. In winter, this side offers the best views of the frozen river systems and the snow-dusted plains of Heilongjiang. Keep your camera ready during the initial 15 minutes of flight to capture the Wei River.
Distance: 1,932 km (1,200 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 35 min
Departure: XIY (34.447102, 108.751999)
Arrival: HRB (45.6234016418457, 126.25)
Route Type: Domestic
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