The great-circle path curves southeastward across Russia and China, so the right side consistently faces the more varied southern terrain — the Altai foothills, the edge of the Gobi Desert, and China's Loess Plateau — while the left side spends most of the flight over featureless Siberian taiga and tundra.
Flight Path
The route's midpoint falls over southern Siberia and the Mongolian border region, crossing the Altai Mountains and the northern fringe of the Gobi Desert before the path bends south toward China.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
RIGHTDeparting Schiphol on the southbound 18-side before turning east, the right side gives a good look back over Amsterdam's city center, the Amstel and IJsselmeer waterways, while the left shows mostly flat polder farmland and the North Sea haze.
Landing at TPE
RIGHTOn the northeast-to-southwest approach into Taipei's Taoyuan runway 23, the right side faces west toward the Taiwan Strait and the flat coastal plain around Taoyuan, giving a clean coastline view, while the left shows the steep, cloud-hung Central Mountain Range rising abruptly close to the descent path — both scenic, but the coastline side offers a clearer unobstructed view during the final turn.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Taipei. The great-circle path curves southeastward across Russia and China, so the right side consistently faces the more varied southern terrain — the Altai foothills, the edge of the Gobi Desert, and China's Loess Plateau — while the left side spends most of the flight over featureless Siberian taiga and tundra.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing Schiphol on the southbound 18-side before turning east, the right side gives a good look back over Amsterdam's city center, the Amstel and IJsselmeer waterways, while the left shows mostly flat polder farmland and the North Sea haze. Notable sights include: Amsterdam city center, IJsselmeer, Randstad canals, North Sea coastline (distant).
What can I see when landing at Chiang Kai Shek International in Taipei?
When landing at Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the northeast-to-southwest approach into Taipei's Taoyuan runway 23, the right side faces west toward the Taiwan Strait and the flat coastal plain around Taoyuan, giving a clean coastline view, while the left shows the steep, cloud-hung Central Mountain Range rising abruptly close to the descent path — both scenic, but the coastline side offers a clearer unobstructed view during the final turn. Notable sights include: Taiwan Strait, Taoyuan coastal plain, distant Central Mountain Range foothills, Guanyin Mountain.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Taipei?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE) takes 11h 50m.
What does the Amsterdam to Taipei flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint falls over southern Siberia and the Mongolian border region, crossing the Altai Mountains and the northern fringe of the Gobi Desert before the path bends south toward China.