Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Nanjing. The takeoff from Sydney offers more dramatic and varied scenery—the Blue Mountains and Tasman Sea are visually striking. While the landing approach into Nanjing provides interesting urban and river views, the takeoff experience is more consistently scenic.

During takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left seats offer views of the Blue Mountains and the Tasman Sea as the aircraft climbs westward out of Sydney. Right seats face inland toward less dramatic terrain. Notable sights include: Blue Mountains (inland, ~50 miles west), Tasman Sea (western horizon), Sydney Harbour and CBD (receding below during initial climb), Hawkesbury River valley.

When landing at Lu Kou Airport (NKG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right seats provide views of the Yangtze River, Nanjing's urban sprawl, and the surrounding agricultural plains during the descent approach from the east. Left seats face less visually distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Yangtze River (major waterway, distinctive meanders), Nanjing city proper (urban grid visible at lower altitudes), Jiangsu Province agricultural plains, Purple Mountain (Zijin Shan, eastern city landmark).

The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Lu Kou Airport (NKG) takes 8h 15m.

The flight path crosses the Coral Sea northeast of Australia, then traverses the Philippine Sea and approaches the Asian continent over the East China Sea. Notable midpoint geography includes the Philippines (visible as island chains if flying slightly south of direct routing), the Taiwan Strait region, and the Yangtze River delta approaching mainland China. Most of the flight occurs over open ocean with limited ground visibility.