Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Ulan Bator to Shanghai. Right-side seats capture the dramatic Khentii Mountains on departure and, while left wins on landing, the 4+ hour flight duration means departure views matter significantly. Right seats also face the Gobi Desert terrain during the long cruise phase over Mongolia and northern China.

During takeoff from Buyant Ukhaa (ULN), sit on the Right side for the best views. ULN typically departs eastbound (Runway 24L/24R). Right-side seats face south toward the Khentii Mountains and the Tuul River valley, offering the best terrain contrast. Left seats face north toward flatter steppe with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Khentii Mountains (southeast, receding toward horizon), Tuul River (winding through valley below), Bogd Khan Uul (isolated peak south of city), Ulan Bator urban sprawl (directly below during initial climb).

When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVG typically lands westbound (Runway 08L/08R). Left-side seats descending from the northwest face the Huangpu River, Pudong's distinctive skyline, and the Yangtze River estuary. Right seats see only the industrial western suburbs and Minhang District. Notable sights include: Huangpu River (sharp bend visible, separating Puxi and Pudong), Pudong skyline including Oriental Pearl Tower and financial district, Yangtze River estuary (broad waterway north of airport), Hangzhou Bay (visible as broader water body to the south at lower altitudes).

The flight from Buyant Ukhaa (ULN) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Gobi Desert (sparse, tan-colored terrain with minimal vegetation), passes east of the Yin Mountains near the Mongolia-China border, then follows a southeasterly track over Hebei Province's industrial plains before descending into the Yangtze River Delta. The Yin Mountains appear as a distant ridge roughly 90 minutes into flight. No major water bodies are crossed until the final approach to Shanghai's river system.