Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chengdu to Lanzhou. While right seats excel during takeoff, left seats dominate the landing phase with the visually striking Yellow River meanders and loess plateau. Since the descent occupies more flight time and offers more dramatic scenery, left is the better overall choice for this route.

During takeoff from Shuangliu (CTU), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the Chengdu Plain and the eastern foothills of the Qinling Mountains as the aircraft climbs northwestward. The contrast between flat urban sprawl and rising terrain is striking during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Chengdu city grid, Qinling Mountains (eastern ridges), Min River valley, Longquanshan Hills.

When landing at Zhongchuan (ZGC), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide views of the Lanzhou basin and the Yellow River's distinctive meanders as the aircraft descends toward Zhongchuan. The river's serpentine pattern and the surrounding loess plateau terrain are visually prominent during final approach. Notable sights include: Yellow River (multiple meanders), Lanzhou city, Loess Plateau, Qinling Mountains (western ridges).

The flight from Shuangliu (CTU) to Zhongchuan (ZGC) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight path traverses the eastern Qinling Mountains and their foothills, passing over the Wei River valley. Notable midpoint features include the Qinling range's main ridgeline (visible as a continuous mountain barrier), the transition from Sichuan's green agricultural landscape to the drier loess plateau terrain, and scattered peaks in the 8,000–10,000 foot range. The landscape shifts from lush to arid around the halfway point, marking the boundary between the Yangtze and Yellow River basins.