The right side offers the Paris skyline glimpse on departure, then tracks closer to the Ural foothills, the Lake Baikal region, and the Mongolian steppe and Gobi desert during cruise, finishing with a view of Beijing's western hills on approach — a much more varied and dramatic sequence than the largely flat Siberian taiga and North China Plain seen from the left.
Flight Path
Ural Mountains foothills, Siberian taiga and river systems (Ob, Yenisei), Lake Baikal region, Mongolian steppe and northern Gobi Desert
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CDG
RIGHTCDG's typical westerly departure (26/27) sends aircraft out over the western suburbs before curving right toward the northeast for the Beijing routing, giving right-side passengers a brief but clear view of central Paris and the Seine during the turn. Left-side passengers mostly see flat Île-de-France farmland.
Landing at PEK
RIGHTOn a typical southerly approach into PEK (runway 36), the flight path brings the aircraft in from the south, and right-side windows face west toward Beijing's Western Hills and the low mountain ridges near the Ming Tombs, contrasting with the featureless North China Plain visible on the left.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Capital (PEK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Beijing. The right side offers the Paris skyline glimpse on departure, then tracks closer to the Ural foothills, the Lake Baikal region, and the Mongolian steppe and Gobi desert during cruise, finishing with a view of Beijing's western hills on approach — a much more varied and dramatic sequence than the largely flat Siberian taiga and North China Plain seen from the left.
What can I see during takeoff from Charles De Gaulle in Paris?
During takeoff from Charles De Gaulle (CDG), sit on the Right side for the best views. CDG's typical westerly departure (26/27) sends aircraft out over the western suburbs before curving right toward the northeast for the Beijing routing, giving right-side passengers a brief but clear view of central Paris and the Seine during the turn. Left-side passengers mostly see flat Île-de-France farmland. Notable sights include: Paris skyline and Eiffel Tower area, the Seine river bends, Charles de Gaulle's northern suburbs.
What can I see when landing at Capital in Beijing?
When landing at Capital (PEK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On a typical southerly approach into PEK (runway 36), the flight path brings the aircraft in from the south, and right-side windows face west toward Beijing's Western Hills and the low mountain ridges near the Ming Tombs, contrasting with the featureless North China Plain visible on the left. Notable sights include: Western Hills (Xishan) ridgeline, Fragrant Hills park area, edge of the North China Plain, distant Yan Mountains foothills.
How long is the flight from Paris to Beijing?
The flight from Charles De Gaulle (CDG) to Capital (PEK) takes 10h 25m.
What does the Paris to Beijing flight path pass over?
Ural Mountains foothills, Siberian taiga and river systems (Ob, Yenisei), Lake Baikal region, Mongolian steppe and northern Gobi Desert