Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Harbin to Shanghai. While takeoff favors the right for river views, the landing approach into Shanghai Pudong is the more visually rewarding segment, and left-side seats capture the iconic Huangpu River curves and the dramatic contrast between Pudong's modern skyline and the Bund's historic waterfront—the defining geography of Shanghai.

During takeoff from Taiping (HRB), sit on the Right side for the best views. Harbin typically departs to the south or southeast. Right-side seats offer views of the Songhua River's distinctive meanders as they flow southward from the city, and the urban sprawl of Harbin itself receding below. The river's oxbow bends are particularly visible during climb-out. Notable sights include: Songhua River (northern tributary system), Harbin urban grid and industrial zones, Sun Island (Taiyang Dao) in the river, flat Manchurian Plain extending southward.

When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Shanghai Pudong typically uses runways oriented northeast-southwest (09L/09R or 03L/03R). Left-side seats on approach from the north offer clear views of the Huangpu River's dramatic curves through Pudong's forest of skyscrapers, and the contrast between the developed east bank and the Bund's historic waterfront on the west bank. Notable sights include: Huangpu River (Huang Pu Jiang) with its characteristic S-curve through central Shanghai, Pudong's high-rise skyline including Oriental Pearl Tower, Bund waterfront district on west bank, Yangtze River estuary mudflats visible to the north.

The flight from Taiping (HRB) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the North China Plain southward, passing east of the Dabie Mountains (visible as a distant ridge on the western horizon around the midpoint), then crosses the Yangtze River near Anqing or Jiujiang. The landscape transitions from flat Manchurian Plain through rolling terrain to the Yangtze River valley. The Yangtze itself is a major visual landmark at midpoint—a wide, muddy-colored river with visible bends and sandbars. South of the Yangtze, the terrain flattens again into the Jiangnan Plain as the aircraft descends toward Shanghai. Lake Chao (Chaohu) may be visible to the west during the southern portion of cruise, appearing as a large body of water with agricultural land surrounding it.