The right side tracks the entire scenic arc of the route: Vancouver's Coast Mountains at departure, the glaciated peaks of the Alaska Range and Gulf of Alaska coastline, the volcanic spine of Kamchatka, and finally the Yanshan foothills and Great Wall on approach into Beijing. The left side spends most of the flight over open Pacific and Bering Sea water with little terrain variety.
Flown YVR to PEK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Vancouver to Beijing is 5,277 miles (8,492 km), a flight of about 12 hours 10 minutes.
Gulf of Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Kamchatka Peninsula's volcanic chain (Klyuchevskaya Sopka), Sea of Okhotsk, and Sakhalin Island before crossing into Russian Far East and Northeast China
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from YVR
RIGHTDeparting YVR to the west, the jet banks right onto its northwesterly track toward Alaska, swinging the North Shore mountains and the mainland Coast Range into view on the right side. The left side only shows the Strait of Georgia and Vancouver Island receding into haze.
Landing at PEK
RIGHTOn the descent into PEK from the north, the approach crosses the Yanshan foothills before the final turn south onto the runway, putting the mountain ridgelines and a visible stretch of the Great Wall on the right side. The left side mostly shows the flat North China Plain toward Tianjin.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Vancouver International (YVR) to Capital (PEK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Vancouver to Beijing. The right side tracks the entire scenic arc of the route: Vancouver's Coast Mountains at departure, the glaciated peaks of the Alaska Range and Gulf of Alaska coastline, the volcanic spine of Kamchatka, and finally the Yanshan foothills and Great Wall on approach into Beijing. The left side spends most of the flight over open Pacific and Bering Sea water with little terrain variety.
What can I see during takeoff from Vancouver International in Vancouver?
During takeoff from Vancouver International (YVR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing YVR to the west, the jet banks right onto its northwesterly track toward Alaska, swinging the North Shore mountains and the mainland Coast Range into view on the right side. The left side only shows the Strait of Georgia and Vancouver Island receding into haze. Notable sights include: Grouse and Cypress Mountain (North Shore), Howe Sound fjord, Coast Mountains, Fraser River delta.
What can I see when landing at Capital in Beijing?
When landing at Capital (PEK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the descent into PEK from the north, the approach crosses the Yanshan foothills before the final turn south onto the runway, putting the mountain ridgelines and a visible stretch of the Great Wall on the right side. The left side mostly shows the flat North China Plain toward Tianjin. Notable sights include: Yanshan Mountains, Great Wall ridge near Badaling/Juyongguan, Miyun Reservoir, Beijing's northern suburbs.
How long is the flight from Vancouver to Beijing?
The flight from Vancouver International (YVR) to Capital (PEK) takes about 12 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,277 miles (8,492 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Vancouver to Beijing flight path pass over?
Gulf of Alaska and the Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea, Kamchatka Peninsula's volcanic chain (Klyuchevskaya Sopka), Sea of Okhotsk, and Sakhalin Island before crossing into Russian Far East and Northeast China