The left side captures the more dramatic geography of this route: the Shanghai coastline at departure, the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau's karst topography during cruise, and Dianchi Lake on arrival into Kunming. The right side stays comparatively flat and featureless for most of the flight.
Flight Path
Poyang Lake basin, Wuling Mountains, Guizhou karst plateau
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PVG
LEFTDeparting PVG on the north-south runways, the aircraft banks toward the southwest, putting the Shanghai skyline and Hangzhou Bay coastline briefly on the left before the route heads inland. The right side mostly shows flat delta farmland with little variation.
Landing at KMG
LEFTOn approach into KMG, the aircraft descends over the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau's karst hills, and the final turn typically reveals Dianchi Lake, the large lake bordering Kunming's southern edge, on the left side. The right side during descent mostly faces rolling plateau terrain without the lake.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Kunming. The left side captures the more dramatic geography of this route: the Shanghai coastline at departure, the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau's karst topography during cruise, and Dianchi Lake on arrival into Kunming. The right side stays comparatively flat and featureless for most of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing PVG on the north-south runways, the aircraft banks toward the southwest, putting the Shanghai skyline and Hangzhou Bay coastline briefly on the left before the route heads inland. The right side mostly shows flat delta farmland with little variation. Notable sights include: Pudong skyline, Hangzhou Bay coastline, Yangtze River delta wetlands.
What can I see when landing at Kunming Changshui International Airport in Kunming?
When landing at Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into KMG, the aircraft descends over the Yunnan-Guizhou plateau's karst hills, and the final turn typically reveals Dianchi Lake, the large lake bordering Kunming's southern edge, on the left side. The right side during descent mostly faces rolling plateau terrain without the lake. Notable sights include: Dianchi Lake, Kunming city plateau, surrounding karst hills.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Kunming?
The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) takes 3h 15m.
What does the Shanghai to Kunming flight path pass over?
Poyang Lake basin, Wuling Mountains, Guizhou karst plateau