At Xiaoshan in Hangzhou: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Right side. Notable views include: West Lake (Xihu) to the northwest, Hangzhou urban grid, Qiantang River estuary, Xiaoshan District residential areas.

When taking off from Xiaoshan (HGH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Xiaoshan typically departs to the northeast or east, and the left side offers views of Hangzhou's urban sprawl and the West Lake area during initial climb. The right side faces the industrial zones and Qiantang River delta, which are less visually distinctive during departure. Notable sights include: West Lake (Xihu) to the northwest, Hangzhou urban grid, Qiantang River estuary, Xiaoshan District residential areas.

When landing at Xiaoshan (HGH), sit on the Right side for the best views. Xiaoshan's primary runways (04L/04R and 22L/22R) mean most approaches come from the north or south. On northbound approaches (runway 04), the right side offers views of Hangzhou's urban sprawl and West Lake's western shore. On southbound approaches (runway 22), the right side frames the Qiantang River estuary and industrial zones south of the airport. Notable sights include: West Lake (Xihu) to the northwest, Qiantang River estuary to the south, Hangzhou urban grid with distinctive high-rise clusters, industrial parks and manufacturing zones along the river valley.

The best window seat at Xiaoshan (HGH) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Hangzhou (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.