Loading map...
ZRH → PEK
Which side of the plane to sit from Zürich Airport (Zurich) to Beijing Capital International Airport (Beijing)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the best chance to view the majestic Lake Baikal, the world's deepest lake, along with the vast, untouched expanses of the Siberian Taiga.
Search flights from ZRH to PEK
Baltic Sea Coastline
Glimpses of the rugged northern European coastline as the plane tracks northeast over Poland and the Baltic states.
Siberian Taiga
An endless emerald sea of coniferous forests stretching across the Russian wilderness for thousands of miles.
Lake Baikal
The crown jewel of the flight; a massive, crescent-shaped rift lake known for its crystal-clear water and unique ecosystem.
Yablonoi Mountains
Rugged mountain peaks in Transbaikalia that define the continental divide between the Arctic and Pacific oceans.
Mongolian Steppes
The rolling green and gold grasslands of northern Mongolia, home to nomadic traditions and vast horizons.
Book a window seat well away from the wing to maximize the view of Lake Baikal, which usually appears roughly 6-7 hours into the flight. Depending on the time of year, this area might be bathed in the soft light of dawn or a late-night twilight. Keep your camera ready as the plane crosses the Angara River outlet.
Get eSIMs for Switzerland
Get eSIMs for China
Ural Mountains
The ancient mountain range that serves as the natural geographic border between Europe and Asia.
Gobi Desert
A vast, arid region of rain-shadow deserts and plateaus featuring dramatic orange and brown soil patterns.
Great Wall of China
In the final descent toward Beijing, segments of the Ming-era wall can often be spotted snaking across the mountain ridges.
Beijing Outskirts
The rapid transition from the rugged Taihang Mountains to the sprawling, high-density urban landscape of the capital.
Yellow River Basin
The fertile, agricultural plains of Northern China characterized by intricate patterns of fields and irrigation.
The right side is ideal for the arrival phase. As you descend into PEK, look for the Great Wall on the ridges north of the city. Since flights from Zurich often fly through the night, the right side will catch the first rays of the rising sun as you enter Chinese airspace, providing beautiful lighting for the Gobi Desert views.
Book Hotels in BeijingDistance: 7,971 km (4,953 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 23 min
Departure: ZRH (47.464699, 8.54917)
Arrival: PEK (40.0801010131836, 116.58499908447266)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.