2024 Chengdu Airport Layover and Transit Guide

Currently, Chengdu has one operational international airport—Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport—with a new airport under construction, Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, scheduled to open in the first half of 2021. In this guide, any mention of “Chengdu Airport” refers specifically to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. This airport is the busiest in Southwest China, operating over 120 international and regional routes and connecting to destinations worldwide. It is also the only port of entry in Sichuan Province offering 24-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policies for eligible foreign travelers, allowing direct flights to Chengdu and 10 other cities in Sichuan.

If you are transiting through Chengdu, China, and are unsure about visa procedures or the possibility of a panda tour from the airport, please refer to the detailed Chengdu Airport layover guide below to plan your layover in Chengdu.

How to Transit Visa-Free at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport

As the only currently operational international airport in Chengdu, Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport has long implemented a 24-hour direct transit visa exemption and began offering a 144-hour visa-free transit (TWOV) policy on January 1, 2019. According to the regulations, air travelers from 53 designated countries can enter Chengdu visa-free as long as they hold a passport valid for at least three months and a departure ticket to a third country or region within 144 hours. Excitingly, since December 1, 2019, the visa-free stay area has expanded beyond Chengdu to include 11 cities in Sichuan: Leshan (home to the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei), Deyang, Suining, Meishan, Ya’an (home to Bifengxia Panda Base), Ziyang, Neijiang, Zigong, Luzhou, and Yibin (home to Shunan Bamboo Sea).

4 Steps for Visa-Free Transit at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport:

1. Notify the airline staff when boarding that you are applying for visa-free transit in Chengdu (24-hour or 144-hour). The airline staff will forward your request to the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport immigration checkpoint.
2. Upon arrival at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, fill out an Entry Card (blue version) at the designated counter. Follow the signs to the “Visa-Free Transit Channel,” and submit your passport, onward ticket to the next destination, and related itinerary for review.
3. After the immigration officer verifies everything, they will stamp a Temporary Entry Permit in your passport, allowing you short-term entry into Chengdu.
4. Complete customs and entry procedures, and you can leave Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, entering Chengdu and the other 10 cities in Sichuan Province for up to six days.

You can click on Chengdu 144-Hour Visa-Free Transit to learn more about the requirements, tips, and suggestions for your Chengdu Airport layover.

Note: The 24-hour visa-free transit has no nationality restrictions for foreign passport holders and even allows multiple transits through China within 24 hours. Therefore, most travelers with onward tickets to other countries can easily obtain visa-free transit upon landing without prior application. If you remain inside the airport, no additional application is needed, but if you plan to leave the airport, you should obtain a Temporary Entry Permit (free of charge).

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Address and Transportation

Translation

Address: Airport Road, Shuangliu District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport currently operates nearly 350 routes, connecting most domestic cities (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Lhasa, Zhangjiajie, Urumqi, Kashgar…) and many international destinations (including New York, Los Angeles, London, Sydney, Tokyo, Singapore, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Bangkok…).

Located in the southwest of Chengdu, the airport is about 18 kilometers (30-minute drive) from Tianfu Square in the city center. The airport offers convenient transportation options, including taxis, airport shuttles (5 lines), the metro (Chengdu Metro Line 10), and city buses to reach downtown Chengdu. You can also take long-distance buses or high-speed intercity trains to nearby cities (such as Leshan, Mount Emei, Yibin, etc.).

Chengdu Airport to Major Chengdu Attractions:

• Chengdu Airport to City Center (Chunxi Road): Approximately 20 kilometers, 30-50 minutes by taxi
• Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding (Chengdu Panda Base): Approximately 38 kilometers (1-hour drive)
• People’s Park: Approximately 20 kilometers, 30-50 minutes by taxi
• Wenshu Monastery: Approximately 22 kilometers, 40 minutes by taxi
• Jinli Ancient Street: Approximately 19 kilometers, 50 minutes by taxi

Chengdu Airport to Surrounding Destinations (High-Speed Rail):

• To Leshan: Around 10 C-trains daily, 40-50 minutes travel time
• To Mount Emei: 4-5 trains daily, approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes travel time
• To Yibin: Around 10 trains daily, 1.5-2 hours travel time

Translation

What You Can Do During a Layover in Chengdu – Recommended Chengdu Layover Tours

What can I do during a layover? How much time does it take to visit the giant pandas during a layover? Is it worth visiting Chengdu if I only have a few hours? What are the must-see attractions in Chengdu?
Most of the major attractions in Chengdu are scattered throughout the city center, and there are almost no sights near Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. Therefore, whether a layover in Chengdu is feasible and how long you should spend depends entirely on your situation. If you have a 24-hour visa-free transit, you can stay in Chengdu and all 11 designated cities for up to 24 hours. Once you obtain a 144-hour visa-free transit, you have 6 days to spend during your layover in Chengdu.

Note: Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Scenic Area are located in Aba Prefecture in western Sichuan and are not within the 144-hour visa-free transit area.

1. Panda Tour from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
   It takes at least 1 hour by car from Chengdu Airport to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, while public transportation (metro/airport bus + city bus) takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Most importantly, the giant pandas are more active in the morning, so make sure you have more than half a day for a quick panda visit, preferably going early in the morning. (Allow a few hours for immigration procedures, customs clearance upon arrival, and about 2 hours for check-in before departure.)
2. Other Worthwhile Attractions in Chengdu City Center
   For travelers with limited time, besides the adorable pandas, there are many other great places to explore in Chengdu, such as the tranquil Buddhist sanctuary of Wenshu Monastery, the most famous local hangout – People’s Park, the contrast of modern and ancient styles at Jinli Ancient Street, the Jinsha Site Museum with its original archaeological site, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, which witnessed the birth of great poetry, Wuhou Shrine, which showcases ancient Shu and Three Kingdoms culture, and the bustling Chunxi Road and Taikoo Li shopping areas. One day is suitable for visiting the pandas and 2 or 3 key city center attractions, while 2 to 3 days are enough to see the main sights. Local experiences like drinking tea in city parks, watching Sichuan opera performances, and tasting the famous hotpot and Sichuan cuisine are highlights you should not miss.
3. Tourist Destinations Worth Visiting Around Chengdu
   Dujiangyan (Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Mount Qingcheng) and Leshan (Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei) are the most popular short-trip destinations from Chengdu. Xiling Snow Mountain is also a good winter destination near Chengdu. Usually, a one-day short trip to each destination is feasible. Most visitors prefer to spend 2 days visiting Dujiangyan, Mount Qingcheng, and participating in a panda volunteer program, and 2-3 days exploring Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei.

Where to Stay During Your Chengdu Layover
It is best to choose accommodation based on the places you plan to visit and the amount of time you are allowed to stay in Chengdu.

1. Hotels at and Near Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
   If you are staying overnight in Chengdu, have a short layover, are catching an early morning flight out of Chengdu, or only have a 24-hour visa-free transit, it is recommended to book a hotel near Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport. The Chengdu Airport Capsule Hotel inside the airport offers hourly rest spaces with basic services (no shower facilities). Therefore, it is better to find a hotel close to the airport where you can rest well.
   Recommended Hotels:

• Chengdu Airport Capsule Hotel (T2, T1)
• Chengdu Airport Express Hotel (Luxury hotel, about 500 meters from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport Terminal 1)
• Chengdu Aviation Hotel
• Holiday Inn Chengdu Airport

1. Hotels in the City Center and Near Major City Attractions – Best Areas for Tourists to Stay
   For those lucky enough to obtain a 144-hour visa-free transit and not have to pay any visa fees, make sure to choose accommodation in the preferred areas of downtown Chengdu. There are a variety of options, with different prices and styles ranging from budget hostels to luxury brands and prestigious boutique hotels. Additionally, downtown hotels are well-located, close to major tourist attractions, with plenty of shopping and dining options.
   Recommended Hotels:

• The Temple House (5-star boutique hotel, near Taikoo Li, Chunxi Road, Daci Temple)
• Niccolo Chengdu, Shangri-La Hotel Chengdu, The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu, JW Marriott Hotel Chengdu (5-star luxury hotels)
• Dorsett Chengdu, The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu, The St. Regis Chengdu (5-star luxury hotels, close to Tianfu Square, Wenshu Monastery)
• Dorsett Chengdu, The Ritz-Carlton Chengdu, The St. Regis Chengdu (5-star boutique hotels, near Wide and Narrow Alleys)

FAQs:

1. How long does it take to clear customs and collect luggage?
   This depends on the situation, but generally, it takes at least 1 hour, sometimes longer.
2. Do I need to collect my luggage during a layover in Chengdu?
   Passengers arriving on international or regional flights (including those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) who need to transfer to domestic flights or onward international/regional flights will need to go through luggage transfer procedures. Only Sichuan Airlines offers direct luggage transfer services for specific routes, such as Bangkok, Vancouver, Osaka, Melbourne, etc.
3. How many hours before my flight should I return to the airport?
   Since transit passengers need to catch international/regional flights and may need to check in luggage, you should arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight’s departure.
4. Is there enough time to visit Leshan during a layover?
   You can take the intercity high-speed train from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to Leshan Railway Station, which takes about 40-50 minutes. It takes about half a day to visit the Leshan Giant Buddha. Considering the return trip and time needed to prepare for your connecting flight, you would need at least 10 hours to visit Leshan.