PEK

Best window seat landing at Capital

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

LandingRIGHT

Beijing CBD skyline, Chaoyang district high-rises, Wenyu River

🛬 Landing at Beijing (PEK)

Best sideRight
WhyLanding on 18L means flying south on final approach, and Beijing's city center with its CBD skyscrapers sits southwest of the airport. Right-side (west-facing) windows give you a distant view of the city skyline as you descend, something the left side won't offer since it faces open farmland to the east.
Look forBeijing CBD skyline (distant), Chaoyang district high-rises, Wenyu River, agricultural land north of the airport
Left window seat view during landing at Beijing (PEK), Beijing CBD skyline (distant), Chaoyang district high-rises, Wenyu River, agricultural land north of the airportLeft Side
Right window seat view during landing at Beijing (PEK), Beijing CBD skyline (distant), Chaoyang district high-rises, Wenyu River, agricultural land north of the airportRight Side
BeijingPhoto: zhang kaiyv

PEK's Terminal 3, opened for the 2008 Olympics, was once the world's largest airport terminal building and remains a major international gateway with a dragon-shaped design by Foster + Partners. The airport has three parallel/near-parallel runways and primarily serves as Air China's main hub.

⛰️ Elevation118 ft
🛫 Runways3 (01/19, 18L/36R, 18R/36L)
✈️ HubAir China, Beijing Capital Airlines
📍 NearbyPKX 41 miTSN 77 mi

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views landing at Capital (PEK)?

When landing at Capital (PEK), sit on the Right side for the best views. Landing on 18L means flying south on final approach, and Beijing's city center with its CBD skyscrapers sits southwest of the airport. Right-side (west-facing) windows give you a distant view of the city skyline as you descend, something the left side won't offer since it faces open farmland to the east. Notable sights include: Beijing CBD skyline (distant), Chaoyang district high-rises, Wenyu River, agricultural land north of the airport.

What can I see when arriving at Beijing?

Arriving at Capital in Beijing, passengers on the Right side enjoy views of Beijing CBD skyline (distant), Chaoyang district high-rises, Wenyu River, agricultural land north of the airport. Landing on 18L means flying south on final approach, and Beijing's city center with its CBD skyscrapers sits southwest of the airport. Right-side (west-facing) windows give you a distant view of the city skyline as you descend, something the left side won't offer since it faces open farmland to the east.

What factors affect the best window seat landing at Capital?

The best window seat landing at Capital (PEK) depends on several factors: the approach path and runway in use, geographic features around Beijing (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening arrivals often offer the best lighting.