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YIW → KMG
Which side of the plane to sit from Yiwu Airport (Yiwu) to Kunming Changshui International Airport (Kunming)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior lighting for photography on this westbound route, featuring iconic mountain ranges and a dramatic descent over the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.
Mount Heng (Hengshan)
Glimpse the 'South Mountain' of China's five sacred peaks rising above the Hunan mist.
Poyang Lake Basin
Vast wetland views and the expansive water system of China's largest freshwater lake to the north.
Guiyang Skyline
The impressive high-rise clusters and bridges of Guizhou's capital visible from cruising altitude.
Dianchi Lake
The massive freshwater lake known as the 'Sparkling Pearl' during the final approach into Kunming.
Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau
The dramatic rise in terrain as the flight transitions from low-lying plains to the high-altitude plateau.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights as the sun is positioned to the south, providing perfect front-lighting for the landscape. During the descent into KMG, look for the massive Dianchi Lake and the surrounding limestone ridges as the plane enters the plateau basin.
Wuyi Mountain Range
Ancient jagged peaks and lush forest canopies along the Zhejiang and Jiangxi border.
Gan River Valley
The winding silver thread of the Gan River cutting through the agricultural heart of Jiangxi.
Nanling Mountains
Distant views of the southern mountain ridges that separate the Yangtze and Pearl River basins.
Guizhou Karst Landscapes
An endless sea of limestone cone-shaped hills and deep valleys unique to southwest China.
Quzhou City
A clear view of the historic city and the Qujiang River shortly after takeoff from Yiwu.
Choose the left side for morning flights to catch the sunrise over the Zhejiang hills, but be prepared for strong afternoon glare. Keep your camera ready for the unique 'chocolate hills' of the Guizhou karst formations during the middle of the flight.
Distance: 1,754 km (1,090 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 20 min
Departure: YIW (29.3446998596, 120.031997681)
Arrival: KMG (25.101944399999997, 102.9291667)
Route Type: Domestic
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