Written by Natalia |
Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China. It is famous for spicy hotpot, giant pandas, and tea culture. It is one of the fastest-growing but also the most ancient cities in western China. People have lived here for over 2,000 years.
Chengdu is calm but alive. Most tourist sites in Chengdu sit in or near the city center. That includes Wuhou Shrine, Jinli Old Street, and Du Fu Thatched Cottage. Chengdu welcomes everyone. This guide will show you how to get to Chengdu and how to move around once you arrive.
How to Get to Chengdu
By Air
Chengdu has two main airports. Tianfu Airport is new, large, and futuristic. It looks like a phoenix when seen from above. It handles most international flights and connects to many modern cities in China. The roof of the terminal has skylights shaped like clouds. The hallways are wide, quiet, and bright. Travelers say it feels like walking through an art museum.
Shuangliu Airport has longer history. It sits only 16 kilometers from downtown Chengdu. It is still modern and clean. Many domestic flights land here. For short trips inside China, Shuangliu offers more of a quick and casual option.
Here are the average flight times from popular cities:
- Beijing –Chengdu: 3 hours
- Shanghai – Chengdu: 3 hours
- Xi’an – Chengdu: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Guangzhou – Chengdu: 2 hours
- Zhangjiajie – Chengdu: 1-1.5 hours
- Hong Kong –Chengdu: 5 hours
Chengdu Airport Transportation
Tianfu International Airport (TFU)
Downtown transport in Tianfu is fast and smooth. You can take Metro Line 18 to the heart of Chengdu. The ride takes around 35 minutes. Metro 19 links Tianfu airport and Shuangliu airport in 30 minutes, running along the spine of the city.
You can also take an airport shuttle bus. It goes to many attractions in the city. The ride takes between 60 and 90 minutes. It depends on traffic. Taxis are always outside the terminal. The ride to downtown takes 45–60 minutes. Most drivers are polite and helpful.
Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
Shuangliu is close to city center. You can reach the downtown in less than an hour. Metro Line 10 starts from this airport. It connects to Taipingyuan Station, where you can switch to other lines. If you are heading to the city center, it takes about 30–40 minutes.
Taxis are quick here too. It usually takes 20–30 minutes to reach central Chengdu. The price is fair. There are also airport buses if you have big luggage. Airport shuttle buses are slow but steady, so you can enjoy the view and chill meditating.
By Train
Chengdu works as a major railway hub in western China. Trains carry people here from almost every direction. You can ride high-speed trains from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chongqing, Kunming, Guangzhou, and Lanzhou. The travel experience is smooth.
- Chengdu East Railway Station – This is the largest station in the city, about 7.3 kilometers from the city center. It handles most high-speed trains. You can literally reach anywhere in China from this station.
- Chengdu Railway Station (North Station) – This station has the longest history in Chengdu. It offers both high-speed and regular trains. Many long-distance trains depart from here, then theytravel north to Lanzhou, east to Wuhan, or west to Lhasa.
- Chengdu South Railway Station – This is a small and modern station. It is located 6.4 kilometers from the city center. The routes are short and fast. Trains go to Leshan, Meishan, Ya’an, and other nearby cities.
- Chengdu West Railway Station – This is the newly-builtstation which is still expanding. It serves trains heading toward western Sichuan and parts of Yunnan. It is not as busy as the others so that the trip is calm and quiet.
Transportation Between Chengdu and Major Cities
Xi’an to Chengdu
Xi’an and Chengdu are two ancient cities with exuberant modern energy. You can transfer between them by high-speed train in 3 to 4 hours. Most travelers choose to transfer between Xi’an North Station and Chengdu East Station. The railway passes through the Qinling Mountains, which is a natural geographical border between north and south China.
Flights are also available, which takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can choose your own rhythm.
Shanghai to Chengdu
Shanghai and Chengdu lie far apart, so the fastest high-speed train takes around 11 hours. Most trains depart from Shanghai Hongqiao Station. They pass rivers, cities, and fields, arriving at Chengdu East Station. This journey shows how wide and rich China is.
Direct flights are faster. The flight takes 3 hours from either Pudong or Hongqiao Airport. If you’re are on a business trip, this is the recommended way.
Zhangjiajie to Chengdu
Currently, no high-speed train runs straight from Zhangjiajie to Chengdu. To make the transfer, you need to stop in Changsha or Yichang first. The full trip may take 7 to 10 hours.
Direct flights offer an easy escape. The plane takes about 1.5 hours. Zhangjiajie’s small airport is calm and green. From the karst mountains to the panda land, the contrast is stunning.
Beijing to Chengdu
High-speed trains from Beijing run daily. The journey lasts 8 to 10 hours. Most trains depart from Beijing West Station. The rail cuts through the heart of China.
Direct flights take about 3 hours. You can fly from either Capital Airport or Daxing Airport. Trains offer silence. Planes offer speed. You decide what matters more.
Hong Kong to Chengdu
Now, you can ride a bullet train from Hong Kong West Kowloon to Chengdu East. The ride lasts around 10 hours. The route crosses four provinces. The scenes change from Cantonese towns to mountain forests.
Flights take about 2.5 hours. Hong Kong International Airport connects to Chengdu several times a day.
Chongqing to Chengdu
Chongqing and Chengdu sit like twins in the basin. They share food, culture, and fire. High-speed trains run every 15 to 30 minutes. The trip takes 1 to 1.5 hours. It is one of the busiest routes in southwest China.
Buses are slower. They take 3 to 4 hours. Short flights exist too, but airport transfers are more time consuming. Trains remain the smartest choice.
Recommended China Tours including Chengdu:
- 10 Days Beijing Xian Chengdu Shanghai Family Tour
- 15 Days China Tour including Tibet (from Hong Kong)
- 8 Days Chengdu Guizhou Tour with Emei and Fanjing Mountains
How to Get Around Chengdu
By Metro
The Chengdu Metro carries the heartbeat of the city. The system runs 15 lines and connects all major districts. Most key attractions lie within walking distance of a metro station. You can reach Chunxi Road, People’s Park, or Wenshu Monastery without switching more than once. Line 3 takes you straight to the Panda Base, where the nation’s fluffiest ambassadors await. Each station is air-conditioned. Some stations display Sichuan-style art.
By Bus
Chengdu’s buses stretch across the whole city like veins. The system covers over 1,300 routes, from busy commercial zones to quiet residential corners. Every bus has air conditioning. Most have digital screens showing the next stop. Fares begin at 2 RMB. Buses reach cultural spots like Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Jinsha Site Museum, and Qingyang Palace.
By Taxi
Taxis are easy to find in Chengdu. The base fare starts at 8 RMB for the first 2 kilometers. An average ride costs around 20 to 60 RMB. Most taxis are painted light blue. Drivers are often warm, sometimes humorous.
For deeper trips—like visiting Mount Qingcheng, Sanxingdui, or a countryside teahouse—private car hire is the better choice. This gives you comfort, freedom, and room for spontaneity.
Tips for Tourists Using Chengdu Transportation
- Avoid Peak Hours:The metro and buses are most crowded from 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM.
- Use Notes and Translation Apps: Though the younger generations in Chengdu usually speak English well enough, we recommend to prepare a note and a translation app to avoid misunderstanding.
- Download Navigation Apps:You can use the DiDi app. It works like Uber. The English version is easy to use.
- Get a Transportation Card:The TianfutongTransportation Card 天府卡 works for metros and buses, offering convenience and discounts.
