TPE to HKG: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Taoyuan (TPE) to Hong Kong (HKG) is a 806 km (501 mi), roughly 1h 27m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime TPE to HKG departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Left | Left | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Right | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Night |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side wins for both views and shade.
Sit on the right for this westbound hop. That side wins for both the scenery and the shade, and the route gives you a steady run of Taiwan, coast, and mainland city views.
Takeoff
On departure from TPE, the left side gets the first close look at Taipei, New Taipei, and Yangmingshan National Park, depending on the runway in use. Taoyuan itself can sit almost under you as you climb.
En route
- 14m inRight →Taiwan Strait
About 14 minutes in, the Taiwan Strait is off the right. It reads as a broad strip of water between Taiwan and mainland China.
- 28m inRight →Quanzhou
Around 28 minutes in, Quanzhou stays on the right. You get a city patchwork view rather than a single skyline.
- 35m inRight →Xiamen
Near 35 minutes in, Xiamen is on the right, with Gulangyu beside it. The islands and urban edge sit low and clear from cruise height.
- 53m inRight →Chaozhou
About 53 minutes in, Chaozhou is off the right. It is part of a busy run of Guangdong cities on that side.
- 1h 10m in← LeftShanwei · passes underneath
Around 70 minutes in, Shanwei passes nearly under the aircraft on the left. It is a quick, steep look, so you only catch it briefly.
Landing
On approach to HKG, the right side keeps the better outside view, depending on the runway in use. You may see Shenzhen, Macau, and Zhuhai on that side, while Hong Kong Island sits to the left near the end.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from TPE to HKG?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on TPE to HKG flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the right side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from TPE to HKG?
The great-circle distance is 806 km (501 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 27m in the air on this westbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from TPE to HKG?
Sit on the right. It has the better views and the shade on this flight.
What will I see on this route?
You get Taiwan on departure, then the Taiwan Strait, then a run of Fujian and Guangdong cities, with Shenzhen, Macau, and Zhuhai near landing.