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Chengdu for first-time visitors

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Chengdu in five lines

Suits: pandas, Sichuan food, a slower pace; pairs with Chongqing by fast train.

Days needed: 3, with one morning for the panda base and one day trip.

Getting in: two airports, new Tianfu 天府 Tiānfǔ (TFU) far to the south-east and older Shuangliu 双流 Shuāngliú (CTU) closer in.

Plan around: panda base tickets are 14 days ahead, real-name.

Visa: 240-hour transit works through both airports; check the list of Sichuan cities you may visit.

Getting in: airports and stations

From each airport and main station to the centre (Panda Base, Chengdu)
FromHowPriceTimeChecked
Tianfu Airport (TFU) 成都天府国际机场Metro Line 18, change to Line 1¥10 (full Line 18)~50 min
Taxi or Didi¥90-120, 50-70 min
Shuangliu Airport (CTU) 成都双流国际机场Metro Line 10, change to Line 1¥8~35 min
Taxi or Didi¥60-100, 30-50 min
Chengdu East Station 成都东站Routes not checked yet

240-hour visa-free transit via Chengdu

Transit ports in Chengdu
CTU and TFU
Where you may stay
11 Sichuan cities incl. Chengdu, Leshan, Deyang

Sources disagree on whether a Chengdu entry also allows travel to other provinces: treat the Sichuan city list as the safe limit. National rules: 240-hour transit.

Chengdu overview

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan, is where most visitors come for giant pandas and stay for the food. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding charges ¥55 and takes bookings 14 days ahead, real-name; the pandas are most active early, so aim for opening time (Nov-Feb 8:00-16:30; Mar-Oct 7:30-17:00). The base caps visitors at 85,000/day, which matters on public holidays.

Which airport you land at changes the first hour more than in most cities. Tianfu, the newer hub, is a long way out: Metro Line 18 costs ¥10 (full Line 18) and takes ~50 min, with a change to Line 1 for Tianfu Square. Shuangliu is nearer: Line 10 is ¥8 and about ~35 min to the interchange. Taxis run ¥90-120, 50-70 min from Tianfu and ¥60-100, 30-50 min from Shuangliu.

Paying for the metro is simple: since mid-2025 the answer to foreign cards at the gate is: Yes, tap foreign card. Fares run ¥2-9.

For a day out, Dujiangyan, an irrigation system dating to 256 BC and still working, is the classic trip; Leshan's Giant Buddha is further but sits inside the 240-hour stay area.

Paying and getting around in Chengdu
FactValueCheckedSource
Chengdu Metro foreign bank cardsMetro and busYes, tap foreign cardChina DailySecondary source
Chengdu Metro Alipay QRMetroAlipay transport QR works; WeChat not confirmedWander in ChinaUnverified
Chengdu Metro single fare rangeMetro¥2-9Wander in ChinaUnverified
Panda Base booking windowPanda Base14 days ahead, real-nameChengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Panda Base entry hoursPanda BaseNov-Feb 8:00-16:30; Mar-Oct 7:30-17:00Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding

Areas to know

  • Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li 春熙路 太古里

    Central shopping streets in Jinjiang; the busiest base.

  • Kuanzhai Alley 宽窄巷子

    Restored Qing-style courtyards in Qingyang; tea houses and snacks.

  • Wuhou and Jinli 武侯祠 锦里

    Three Kingdoms temple and the lantern-lit Jinli street.

  • Tianfu Square and People's Park 天府广场 人民公园

    Line 1 and 2 interchange; tea in the park.

Our own neighbourhood map is not drawn yet

Where to stay in Chengdu

Where-to-stay page not built yet (needs 6+ checked properties)

Start here

Show the driver 给司机看

四川省成都市成华区熊猫大道1375号 成都大熊猫繁育研究基地

Chéngdū Dàxióngmāo Fányù Yánjiū Jīdì

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 1375 Panda Avenue, Chenghua District

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Questions people ask

How far ahead can I book the Chengdu panda base?

14 days ahead, real-name. Adult tickets are ¥55.

Tianfu or Shuangliu: which airport is closer to the centre?

Shuangliu. Tianfu by metro takes ~50 min; Shuangliu by metro about ~35 min to the Line 1 interchange.

Sources

  1. 成都地铁18号线票价, The Paper, retrieved
  2. Chengdu Metro Line 18, travelchinaguide, retrieved
  3. Chengdu Airport to City Center: Tianfu & Shuangliu Guide, Chinavigators, retrieved
  4. Discover Sichuan: A 240-hour visa-free cultural journey, Shanghai Municipal People's Government (English portal), retrieved
  5. Chengdu eases city navigation to offer more convenience ahead of World Games, China Daily, retrieved
  6. Chengdu Metro Guide 2026, Wander in China, retrieved
  7. Ticket (Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding), Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, retrieved
  8. Chengdu city guide, travelchinaguide, retrieved