When you have a layover in Chengdu, of course, you want to make the most of it. But you probably have a few questions too. Can I leave the airport? Do I need a visa? What can I actually do with 7, 10, or even 15 hours?
This guide walks you through everything: top things to do, free layover hotels, Wi-Fi, food, baggage, and transportation.
Do I Need a Visa for a Layover in Chengdu?
Due to the 10-Day Visa Free Transit Policy, you don't need a visa if your nationality is on the list, such as the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Russia.
Can I Leave the Airport during Layover in Chengdu?
Yes, you can. You just need to bring your passport, fill out the arrival form, and go through customs.
But if your layover is less than 7-8 hours, you are not recommended to leave the airport.
Customs and immigration process, travelling to and from the city, checking in early, and rechecking your luggage (if needed) can easily take up 4-5 hours of your total time.
- Shuangliu Airport (CTU): closer. You’ll need at least 7 hours.
- Tianfu Airport (TFU): much further. You should have at least 8 hours.
What to Do in Chengdu during My Layover?
Most international flights now use Tianfu, so the layover plans below mainly follow that.
If it works for Tianfu, it definitely works for Shuangliu.
If You Have 8-9 Hours, Chunxi Road is the Best
With only 8–9 hours, visiting the Panda Base would be quite rushed, so we recommend Chunxi Road instead.
Chunxi Road, the IFS Climbing PandaChunxi Road (2–3 hrs) is the city center and the most iconic spot in Chengdu. It's packed with food, fashion shops, and is very easy for you to get.
You can try some local snacks, snap a photo with the famous IFS Panda statue, and stroll around Taikoo Li, getting a quick look at Chengdu's city vibe.
- Travel from TFU: metro(1.5), bus (1.5h), car (1h)
- Travel from CTU: metro(1h), bus (1h), car (40min)
Transportation tips:
I recommend using DiDi or Gaode Maps for a car ride haling. It’s the best mode of transit for you to get to/from the city from the airport. Or feel free to contact us if you need a private car.
Tianfu also has a 24-hour Airport Express (Line 18). Trains run every 10-30 mins, about 30 mins to the city centre (you’ll need to transfer for Chunxi Road).
Avoid driving and taking buses during the rush hours, as it gets jammed in the city center and can take up to 2 hours one way.
If You Have 10-12 Hours, don’t Miss the Panda Base
If you have 10-12 hours of layover time, it's enough to visit the Chengdu Panda Base (4–5 hours).
Chengdu Panda Research BaseThis base is closest to the city, and you can see the largest number of giant pandas and red pandas there.
It's best to visit the pandas around 8–10 AM, when they're most active. If you can't make it in the morning, 2–3 PM is also a good time since it's their feeding period, and you'll get to see them munching on bamboo.
- TFU to Chengdu Panda Base: car (1h), metro (2h), bus (1.5h)
- CTU to Chengdu Panda Base: car (45min), metro(1h15m), bus(1h)
Transportation tips:
I recommend driving instead of the bus or metro. Driving to Panda Base won't pass through the city centre, so you won't have to worry about traffic jams.
If you take the airport bus, it only goes to Chengdu Zoo Bus Station, and you'll still need a 15-minute taxi ride to reach the Panda Base.
The metro also passes through the city centre and can get crowded.
If you don't want to see pandas, here are also some popular routes:
- Chunxi Road (2 hrs) → Kuanzhai Alley (2 hrs) → People’s Park (1 hr)
Kuanzhai AlleyIf you enjoy shopping, food, and local laid-back life, this route also shows you different Chengdu's highlights.
You'll walk around Chunxi Road, try snacks and pick up souvenirs at Kuanzhai Alley, then walk 15min to People’s Park, to sip a tea, relax with a massage, and experience local's daily life.
- Wuhou Shrine (2 hrs) → Jinli Ancient Street (2 hrs)
Jinli Ancient Street If you love history and culture, don’t miss these two spots. The metro line to Wuhou Shrine is now open as well.
At Wuhou Shrine, you can learn about the Three Kingdoms and the stories of Zhuge Liang. Jinli Ancient Street is right next door, with lots of local snacks and charming traditional-style streets. You can also sit down for a Sichuan opera face-changing show.
If You Have 15 + Hours
You can have a day trip in Chengdu, covering the highlights like pandas, food, and local life experience.
If you're a panda lover, you can even join a Panda Volunteer Program in Dujiangyan. Besides seeing the pandas, you'll get to make panda cakes, split bamboo, clean the enclosure, and learn more about their behaviour.
If you're into food, there’s more to do than just eating. You can visit a local market to pick ingredients with a local family, learn to cook Sichuan dishes, and enjoy the meal together.
Even with only a few hours, a private tour lets you make the most of your layover without worrying about transport or planning. Please feel free to contact us.
Chengdu Layover FAQs
1. Does the Airport Provide Free Hotel Stays?
Yes—if you're flying Sichuan Airlines on an international route.
Requirements:
- Transit over 6 hours
- Ticket number begins with 876
- Your passport
After affirming, you can apply for a free hotel in the Sichuan Airlines APP, or just ask the front desk to help. The free hotel is valid at both TFU and CTU.
2. What are the Hotel Options for My Layover?
If you have a long overnight layover but don’t qualify for a free hotel, you may want to book a hotel instead of sleeping in the terminal.
In Tianfu Airport, there are more options inside the terminal. Some with better facilities include Joyhub Air Hotel and Joyhub Cheer Hotel. There are also capsule hotels, or nearby hotels like All Seasons, just a short drive from the airport with shuttle service.
In Shuangliu Airport, terminal accommodation is basic, more like dorms than hotels. You can stay at nearby hotels, such as Qingju, for a more comfortable overnight.
3. Is There Free Wi-Fi at the Airport?
Yes. You need to go to the WiFi kiosks in T1, Level 2, or Level 4 (Area D). Then scan your passport, and you’ll get a printed username and password.
If you're heading into the city, you can also buy a data package / SIM card at the airport counters.
4. Can I Recheck my Baggage during a Short Layover?
Yes. Even with only a 3-hour layover, you can usually collect your luggage.
Bags come out in about 30 minutes, and walking from T1 to T2 takes only around 10 minutes.
5. What to Eat in Chengdu? Will Everything be Spicy?
Chengdu is famous for spicy food, but non-spicy options can also be found.
If you like spicy food, you can taste hot pot, red-oil wontons, spicy rabbit head, and mapo tofu.
If you prefer non-spicy, try Qiaojiao beef, sweet-skin duck, egg pancakes (dan hong gao), douhua, liangfen, or yuan-yang hotpot (half spicy, half non-spicy). And of course, there are many Cantonese restaurants.
You can find all of these on Chunxi Road, Kuanzhai Alley, Jinli Ancient Street, or the airport.
Our Popular Chengdu Layover Tours
It consumes a lot of your time and energy when you travel independently in Chengdu. To maximize your stopover time, a private tour is an advisable option.
Here are our popular layover tours:
- 1-Day Chengdu Lifestyle Tour
- 1-Day Chengdu Tour for Pandas and Sanxingdui Museum
- 1-Day Giant Panda and Giant Buddha Tour
Or you can find more Chengdu tours with us.
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