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XIY → PEK
Which side of the plane to sit from Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (Xi'an) to Beijing Capital International Airport (Beijing)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a more scenic perspective of the rugged Loess Plateau and the formidable Taihang mountain range, with the added bonus of potential Great Wall sightings during the descent into the Beijing basin.
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Loess Plateau
View the intricate, labyrinth-like erosion patterns and terraced fields characteristic of Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces.
Lüliang Mountains
Fly over the rugged ridges and sharp peaks of this significant mountain range in western Shanxi.
Western Taihang
The flight path skirts the western edge of these mountains, offering views of steep limestone cliffs and deep canyons.
Great Wall Sections
During the northern descent into Beijing, look for the ancient wall fortifications snaking across the mountain ridges near Mentougou.
Book a window seat on the left for morning flights to have the sun behind you for better photography. This side is particularly spectacular during the winter when snow highlights the dramatic contours of the Loess Plateau and the Great Wall.
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Yellow River Crossing
See the iconic, sediment-rich waters of the Huang He as the flight crosses the provincial border early in the journey.
Taiyuan City
Glimpse the industrial and urban landscape of the capital of Shanxi province and the surrounding Fen River valley.
North China Plain
As the flight nears Beijing, the landscape flattens into an expansive, densely populated patchwork of fields and satellite cities.
Beijing Skyline
On clear days, the distant skyscrapers of the Central Business District may be visible as the aircraft aligns for its final approach.
Sit on the right for late afternoon or evening flights to enjoy the sunset over the horizon. This side is superior for observing the Yellow River crossing early in the flight and witnessing the vastness of the North China Plain's urban sprawl.
Book Hotels in BeijingDistance: 934 km (580 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 33 min
Departure: XIY (34.447102, 108.751999)
Arrival: PEK (40.0801010131836, 116.58499908447266)
Route Type: Domestic
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