While landing offers excellent urban views on the left, the takeoff from Lhasa provides more dramatic and sustained scenic value with the Yarlung Tsangpo River system and Tibetan plateau landscape being visually distinctive and geographically significant. Right-side seats capture the most compelling natural features for the majority of the flight.
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Flight Path
Lhasa to Chengdu is 785 miles (1,263 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses the eastern Tibetan plateau, passing over high-altitude terrain with sparse vegetation. Notable features include the transition from the Yarlung Tsangpo valley system toward the Min Mountains and Dadu River drainage basin. The aircraft will pass over areas of the Sichuan Basin's northern edge, with gradual descent into lower elevations as it approaches Chengdu. The Minshan and Longquan mountain ranges form the eastern boundary of the Tibetan plateau in this region.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from LXA
RIGHTRight-side seats offer immediate views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley and the surrounding Tibetan plateau terrain as the aircraft climbs southwestward from Gonggar. The river's distinctive braided channels and the high-altitude landscape are prominent during the initial climb phase.
Landing at CTU
LEFTLeft-side seats provide excellent views during the descent approach into Chengdu, particularly of the Chengdu Plain and the city's urban sprawl. As the aircraft descends from the northeast, the left side captures the transition from rural agricultural fields to dense urban development and the Minjiang River.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) to Shuangliu (CTU)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Lhasa to Chengdu. While landing offers excellent urban views on the left, the takeoff from Lhasa provides more dramatic and sustained scenic value with the Yarlung Tsangpo River system and Tibetan plateau landscape being visually distinctive and geographically significant. Right-side seats capture the most compelling natural features for the majority of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Lhasa Gonggar International Airport in Lhasa?
During takeoff from Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer immediate views of the Yarlung Tsangpo River valley and the surrounding Tibetan plateau terrain as the aircraft climbs southwestward from Gonggar. The river's distinctive braided channels and the high-altitude landscape are prominent during the initial climb phase. Notable sights include: Yarlung Tsangpo River (braided channels visible below), Gonggar County settlements, Tibetan plateau grasslands, distant Nyenchen Tanglha mountain range to the north.
What can I see when landing at Shuangliu in Chengdu?
When landing at Shuangliu (CTU), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views during the descent approach into Chengdu, particularly of the Chengdu Plain and the city's urban sprawl. As the aircraft descends from the northeast, the left side captures the transition from rural agricultural fields to dense urban development and the Minjiang River. Notable sights include: Chengdu urban area and city grid, Minjiang River, Chengdu Plain agricultural fields, Longquan Mountains to the east.
How long is the flight from Lhasa to Chengdu?
The flight from Lhasa Gonggar International Airport (LXA) to Shuangliu (CTU) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 785 miles (1,263 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Lhasa to Chengdu flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the eastern Tibetan plateau, passing over high-altitude terrain with sparse vegetation. Notable features include the transition from the Yarlung Tsangpo valley system toward the Min Mountains and Dadu River drainage basin. The aircraft will pass over areas of the Sichuan Basin's northern edge, with gradual descent into lower elevations as it approaches Chengdu. The Minshan and Longquan mountain ranges form the eastern boundary of the Tibetan plateau in this region.