The left side wins for both takeoff and landing, offering coastal estuary and island scenery near Shanghai and a dramatic mountainous, island-studded approach into Hong Kong, while the right side stays mostly over featureless inland terrain.
Flown SHA to HKG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Shanghai to Hong Kong is 765 miles (1,232 km), a flight of about 2 hours 45 minutes.
Taiwan Strait coastline, Fujian province's hilly coast near Xiamen, and the Pearl River Delta as the flight descends toward Hong Kong
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SHA
LEFTDeparting SHA to the south then curving southwest, the left side offers views over the Yangtze estuary and Hangzhou Bay, with the Zhoushan Archipelago's scattered islands visible in the East China Sea. The right side shows mostly flat, hazy inland farmland and suburban sprawl west of Shanghai.
Landing at HKG
LEFTOn approach into HKG, the flight path typically tracks over the Pearl River Delta before turning toward Lantau Island, giving left-side passengers views of the delta's waterways, outlying Hong Kong islands, and the mountainous terrain of Lantau just before touchdown. The right side mostly faces inland Guangdong hills with less coastal drama.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Hong Kong International (HKG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Hong Kong. The left side wins for both takeoff and landing, offering coastal estuary and island scenery near Shanghai and a dramatic mountainous, island-studded approach into Hong Kong, while the right side stays mostly over featureless inland terrain.
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 then curving southwest, the left side offers views over the Yangtze estuary and Hangzhou Bay, with the Zhoushan Archipelago's scattered islands visible in the East China Sea. The right side shows mostly flat, hazy inland farmland and suburban sprawl west of Shanghai. Notable sights include: Huangpu River mouth, Hangzhou Bay, Zhoushan Islands, East China Sea coastline.
What can I see when landing at Hong Kong International in Hong Kong?
When landing at Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into HKG, the flight path typically tracks over the Pearl River Delta before turning toward Lantau Island, giving left-side passengers views of the delta's waterways, outlying Hong Kong islands, and the mountainous terrain of Lantau just before touchdown. The right side mostly faces inland Guangdong hills with less coastal drama. Notable sights include: Pearl River Delta, Lantau Island peaks, outlying Hong Kong islands, Victoria Harbour skyline in the distance.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong?
The flight from Hongqiao International (SHA) to Hong Kong International (HKG) takes about 2 hours 45 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 Shanghai to Hong Kong flight path pass over?
Taiwan Strait coastline, Fujian province's hilly coast near Xiamen, and the Pearl River Delta as the flight descends toward Hong Kong