The right side captures Hong Kong's harbor and skyline on departure and Shanghai's urban river landscape on arrival, while the left side offers mostly flat, hazy farmland along the Yangtze delta with few distinctive features.
Flown HKG to SHA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Hong Kong to Shanghai is 765 miles (1,232 km), a flight of about 2 hours 25 minutes.
The route roughly follows the Fujian and Zhejiang coastline, passing near Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Wenzhou, with occasional views of coastal hills and the East China Sea before crossing into the flat Yangtze River delta approaching Shanghai.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from HKG
RIGHTDeparting HKG toward the northeast, the climb-out passes directly over Kowloon and Victoria Harbour, giving a brief but striking view of Hong Kong Island's skyline and the harbor before the aircraft turns north toward the Chinese mainland. The left side mostly shows Lantau's hills and open water with less urban detail.
Landing at SHA
RIGHTOn approach to Hongqiao from the south, the descent tracks near Hangzhou Bay and then over Shanghai's dense urban grid, with the Huangpu River and the Pudong skyline visible off the right side before the turn onto final approach. The left side during this leg mostly shows flat, featureless delta farmland.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hong Kong International (HKG) to Hongqiao International (SHA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Hong Kong to Shanghai. The right side captures Hong Kong's harbor and skyline on departure and Shanghai's urban river landscape on arrival, while the left side offers mostly flat, hazy farmland along the Yangtze delta with few distinctive features.
What can I see during takeoff from Hong Kong International in Hong Kong?
During takeoff from Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing HKG toward the northeast, the climb-out passes directly over Kowloon and Victoria Harbour, giving a brief but striking view of Hong Kong Island's skyline and the harbor before the aircraft turns north toward the Chinese mainland. The left side mostly shows Lantau's hills and open water with less urban detail. Notable sights include: Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island skyline (Victoria Peak), Kowloon Peninsula, New Territories hills (Tai Mo Shan).
What can I see when landing at Hongqiao International in Shanghai?
When landing at Hongqiao International (SHA), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach to Hongqiao from the south, the descent tracks near Hangzhou Bay and then over Shanghai's dense urban grid, with the Huangpu River and the Pudong skyline visible off the right side before the turn onto final approach. The left side during this leg mostly shows flat, featureless delta farmland. Notable sights include: Hangzhou Bay coastline, Huangpu River bends, Pudong skyline (Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower), Shanghai's urban sprawl.
How long is the flight from Hong Kong to Shanghai?
The flight from Hong Kong International (HKG) to Hongqiao International (SHA) takes about 2 hours 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 765 miles (1,232 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Hong Kong to Shanghai flight path pass over?
The route roughly follows the Fujian and Zhejiang coastline, passing near Xiamen, Fuzhou, and Wenzhou, with occasional views of coastal hills and the East China Sea before crossing into the flat Yangtze River delta approaching Shanghai.