The right side tracks the inland hill country of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi during cruise and catches the Nanling foothills on descent into Guangzhou, offering more topographic variety than the flatter, haze-prone coastal and open-water views on the left.
Flight Path
Low mountain ranges of southern Zhejiang and Fujian, including outlying ridges of the Wuyi Mountains, followed by the hilly terrain of northern Guangdong as the route approaches the Pearl River Delta.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SHA
LEFTDeparting SHA to the south before banking southwest, the left side offers a brief view back over Shanghai's Pudong towers and the Huangpu River before the coastline of Hangzhou Bay opens up. The right side mostly shows Shanghai's flat western suburbs and Taihu Lake basin haze.
Landing at CAN
RIGHTOn approach into CAN from the northeast, the right side reveals the low green ridgelines of the Nanling foothills and the sprawling Pearl River Delta cities before touchdown, giving more terrain variety than the flatter delta plain seen on the left.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Guangzhou. The right side tracks the inland hill country of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangxi during cruise and catches the Nanling foothills on descent into Guangzhou, offering more topographic variety than the flatter, haze-prone coastal and open-water views on the left.
What can I see during takeoff from Hongqiao International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Hongqiao International (SHA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing SHA to the south before banking southwest, the left side offers a brief view back over Shanghai's Pudong towers and the Huangpu River before the coastline of Hangzhou Bay opens up. The right side mostly shows Shanghai's flat western suburbs and Taihu Lake basin haze. Notable sights include: Huangpu River, Pudong skyline, Hangzhou Bay coastline.
What can I see when landing at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou?
When landing at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into CAN from the northeast, the right side reveals the low green ridgelines of the Nanling foothills and the sprawling Pearl River Delta cities before touchdown, giving more terrain variety than the flatter delta plain seen on the left. Notable sights include: Nanling foothills, Pearl River Delta, Baiyun Mountain, Guangzhou urban sprawl.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Guangzhou?
The flight from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) takes 2h 15m.
What does the Shanghai to Guangzhou flight path pass over?
Low mountain ranges of southern Zhejiang and Fujian, including outlying ridges of the Wuyi Mountains, followed by the hilly terrain of northern Guangdong as the route approaches the Pearl River Delta.