Chengdu Starter Guide for First-Time Visitors

Arriving: two airports, two metro lines

Chengdu has two airports. Check which one is on your ticket, because they're far apart.

Sources: Chengdu government services portal on Line 18; Wikipedia on Shuangliu Airport.

When Line 18 reached Tianfu Airport in 2021, the operator said express trains would stop only at selected stations (South Railway Station, Fuhuayuan, Haichang Road, Sancha, the airport terminals and Tianfu Airport North), with first and last trains at 06:00 and 23:30. The operator said it might adjust the express pattern (Chengdu government services portal). Check platform screens for today's timetable (check locally).

Arriving by high-speed rail? The big stations, including Chengdu East and Chengdu South, are on the metro. Use Amap to find your line (see Amap vs Apple Maps). For train tickets, see our 12306 guide.

Getting around: the metro

Chengdu's network has 18 lines and 758 km of track, and every line has bilingual signs and announcements (China News Service, June 2026).

Ways to pay:

1. Tap your bank card. As of June 2026, every Chengdu metro station accepts UnionPay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and Discover cards issued abroad at the gates. Ticket machines take them too, including the day-ticket machines. Turn on small password-free payments and keep enough balance or credit. You pay the standard metro fare (China News Service).
2. Alipay ride code. Link your foreign card in Alipay, then use the "成都电子乘车码" (Chengdu e-ride code) inside Alipay on the metro and city buses. Alipay also works at metro service centres and ticket machines (China News Service, 2024).
3. AlipayHK users can generate a Tianfutong (天府通) ride code directly, valid on the metro and city buses (Xinhua Sichuan).

Metro help line: 028-61638000 for card or gate problems (China News Service). Some stations, including Panda Avenue (熊猫大道) and Dongjiao Memory, have smart luggage lockers.

Top sights and booking rules

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (成都大熊猫繁育研究基地)

All rules below are from the base's official ticket page and opening hours page:

• Online real-name booking is required for everyone. Bring the original ID you booked with. A passport is accepted. It's one ticket per person per ID, and nobody else can use it.
• Book up to 14 days ahead. Same-day tickets stop when they sell out. If you book an afternoon ticket, don't turn up early.
• Adult ticket: ¥55 (ages 18–59). Students: ¥27 (with student ID). Ages 60+ and children aged 6 and under, or under 1.3 m: free, no booking needed, but bring ID.
• Entry windows:
  • November–February: morning tickets 8:00–12:00, afternoon tickets 12:00–16:30. The park starts clearing at 17:30.
  • March–October: morning tickets 7:30–12:00, afternoon tickets 12:00–17:00. Clearing starts at 18:00.
• Booking channels: the base's official WeChat account or mini-program, or authorised platforms including the Meituan, Trip.com (携程旅行), Douyin and Tongcheng apps. The base warns against unofficial sellers and paid "fast entry" offers.
• Refunds: unused tickets can be refunded through the original channel within 30 days, starting from 17:00 on the visit day (rule in force since 27 August 2026).
• The ticket covers the Chengdu base only, not the Dujiangyan Panda Valley.
• Visitor hotline: 028-83510033. Address: 1375 Panda Avenue, Chenghua District.

Wuhou Shrine (武侯祠)

Inside the First Ring Road. Take Metro Line 3 to Gaoshengqiao (高升桥), Exit A, then walk about 10 minutes. Buses 1, 57, 82, 334 and 335 also go there (Wuhou Shrine Museum). Jinli Street, a shopping and snack street, is a popular add-on (GoChengdu).

More on the city's own top-10 list

Chengdu's official tourism site recommends Jinli Street, Taikoo Li and IFS (with its giant climbing panda sculpture), Tianfu Square, the Chengdu Museum and Jinsha Site Museum, the Du Fu Thatched Cottage, the Sichuan Cuisine Museum, Anshun Bridge and Wenshu Monastery (GoChengdu). We haven't verified current ticketing or booking rules for these, so check each venue's official channel (check locally).

Where to stay

• City centre (Chunxi Road, Tianfu Square, Taikoo Li area): walkable to shopping and food, with good metro links.
• Near Chengdu South Railway Station: one Line 18 express ride to Tianfu Airport.
• Near Line 10: handy for Shuangliu Airport.

Save your hotel's Chinese address, and check it accepts foreign guests (see our hotel registration guide).

Food basics

Chengdu food is known for heat, so learn the spice words in the Members section. Payment works the same as anywhere in China: Alipay or WeChat Pay with a linked foreign card, capped at US$5,000 per transaction and US$50,000 per year (Shanghai Municipal Government payments guide). See Ordering food and Using a foreign card in China.

FAQ

Do I need to book the Chengdu Panda Base in advance?

Yes. All visitors need an online real-name booking, except people aged 60+ and young children, who get in free with ID. You can book up to 14 days ahead.

Can I book the Panda Base with a passport?

Yes. Book through the official WeChat channels or authorised apps such as Trip.com, and bring the original passport you used.

How much is a Panda Base ticket?

¥55 for adults aged 18–59 and ¥27 for students. Visitors aged 60+ and children aged 6 and under (or under 1.3 m) are free.

Which metro line goes to Tianfu Airport?

Line 18. Express trains take about 37 minutes from Chengdu South Railway Station. Line 10 serves the other airport, Shuangliu.

Can I use my foreign bank card on the Chengdu metro?

Yes. As of June 2026, every station accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club and Discover cards issued abroad, plus UnionPay, at the gates.

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